Book Review - We Are Displaced

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

We Are Displaced

by Malala Yousafzai

            *Refugee (n): a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution.

            Malala Yousafzai is an advocate for girl’s education and Nobel Peace Prize winner. She is also a refugee, forced to leave her home in Pakistan with her parents and brothers. In this book, she shares not only her story but brings together the stories of other girls who are refugees. The road to safety for these girls was not an easy one. Some were separated from their family by who was granted asylum and who wasn’t, while some had family who died along the way. Some may break your heart, while some may also inspire. What all these girls have in common is that for their safety, leaving their home was their only option, and Malala choice to help share their stories.

            The topic of refugees is a big one today, making this an important read. It is an odd feeling knowing the stories these girls share happened in recent history. As the narrative is broken down into individual stories, this makes it easy to stop and process each story before going on to the next one. Malala also prefaces each section with how she came to know these girls and decided to share their story.

*Definition taken directly from Merriam-Webster Dictionary Online

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Book Review - A Heart in the Body in the World

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

A Heart in the Body in the World

by Deb Caletti

            One moment Annabelle is getting a burger, the next she is running with no destination in mind. A little less than a year ago something tragic happened in her life, something involving The Taker. While getting her burger, something triggers her which caused her to run. Realizing the running helped her with dealing, Annabelle decides to run from Seattle to Washington D.C. With the help of her brother and two friends back home and her grandfather following along in his RV, Annabelle goes on a captivating journey both physically and mentally.

            Alternating between the present time and flashes to the past leading up to the traumatic event, this book will have you turning the page to find out what happened then and what happens next. For some readers, this may be a book they need if they are in a situation similar to Annabelle’s prior to the event that took place. While Annabelle’s journey of running across the country can come across as unrealistic (though it has been done by adults) it doesn’t take away from the wonderful premise of this story. 

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Book Review - 2 for 1 - One Of Us Is Lying and Two Can Keep A Secret

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

One of Us is Lying

by Karen M. McManus

            Five students go into detention, but only four come out alive. The school outcast and gossip blog runner Simon is dead and now his fellow detention mates are under suspicion. There’s Bronwyn, the brainy good girl, drug dealer Nate, Cooper, the baseball star, and homecoming queen Addy. They all have the secrets that Simon was about to expose on his blog, which gives them all not only an opportunity but a motive.

            It’s The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars. Alternating between each of the four teens, readers will get a well-rounded aspect of this who-done-it. As much as you may want to, don’t skip to the end to find out who the liar is.

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📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Two Can Keep a Secret

by Karen M. McManus

            Twins Ellery and Ezra are moving to Echo Ridge to live with their grandmother. Echo Ridge is a town known for disappearances and murder. When she was seventeen, the twin’s aunt went missing, five years ago the homecoming queen was murdered and upon their entry into town they discover the science teacher’s dead body. As the teens settle into their new town, including jobs at the Halloween themed amusement park, Ellery is nominated to the homecoming court, another nominee has gone missing and there are new threats to be had. Ellery decides to try and figure out the mysteries and gains an ally in Malcolm, whose older brother is suspected of the murder years earlier.

            Despite none of the characters being real stand-outs, readers will still like them. With multiple mysteries, this story is a real page-turner. There is the question of if any or all of these mysteries are connected, and if so, how?

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Book Review - Shout

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Shout

by Laurie Halse Anderson

            Laurie Halse Anderson is an award winning author who is now sharing her personal story. Maybe you are familiar with her books (Fever 1793, Ashes, Twisted, Wintergirls, Prom, and Speak), maybe you are not. Anderson’s story in Shout is similar to Melinda’s in Speak. She is a survivor who no longer wishes to remain silent and is now calling for others to also speak up and take action. Most importantly, allowing others to know that they are not alone. 

            This is a beautifully written novel in verse. Anderson shares her experience, the downward spiral her life took after it, and pulling herself together again. With the subject matter being on the tougher side, this read may be difficult for some at the present moment or overall. For those who can handle the topic addressed, this is highly recommended.

            Read the review for the graphic novel version of Speak here.

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Peer Book Review - Green Lantern: Lights Out

📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖

Green Lantern: Lights Out

by Justin Jordan

Reviewed by 8th Grader Carlos U.

When a new being threatens to whip out all lantern corps, it takes the help of everyone to try and defeat Relic. Even enemies must join forces to save the day.

I enjoyed the action and suspense. The story and the back story was great. I even saw some of my favorite characters. 

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Book Review - Salt to the Sea

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Salt to the Sea

by Ruta Sepetys

Alfred is a German naval officer on the Wilhelm Gustloff, a World War II ship sent to Poland to evacuate German refugees. Joana, Florian, and Emilia are three refugees whose journey brings them on board. What starts out as a journey to safety becomes the largest loss of life on a single ship in history.

An intriguing look involving a real moment in history that isn’t often shared. Each of the four main characters are likable in their own ways, even Alfred despite his being mostly unlikable. Readers looking for World War II books that aren’t about battles or the Holocaust should be sure to give this a try.

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Peer Book Review - Wolf Children

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Wolf Children

by Hosoda, Mamoru

Reviewed by 8th Grader Carlos U.

When a young Hana falls in love with someone she sees in her college, the last thing she would have known is he’s part wolf. Soon they become a family but not seen after the father of Hana’s children soon perishes. Soon, Hana will have to overcome the life as a single mom of wolf children.

This book put me on an extremely emotional roller coaster. I loved how Hana did her best for her kids and I just fell in love with the story. It was a great graphic novel.  

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Congrats Athena!

Every year librarians of Long Island gather at the annual Long Island Library Conference. At the conference, two teens are honored with the B.E.S.T. award presented by the Young Adult Services Division of the Nassau County Library Association and Young Adult Services Division of the Suffolk County Library Association.

This year's winner from Nassau County was Uniondale's own Athena Allen.

Athena posing proudly with her plaque.

The B.E.S.T. Award stands for Bringing Excellence in Service by Teens.

Athena was nominated by Ms. Kendrick-Samuel for this honor for her role as President of Junior' Friends and her music program Music with Athena. For those of you who don't know, Athena is a talented musician who plays multiple string instruments, piano and sings. She wanted to help children and teens in Uniondale learn and practice those skills and asked Ms. Kendrick-Samuel if she could create a program to do so. Last fall, Music with Athena was created and takes place 2-3 Sunday's per month. Those who attend the program, as well the adults that bring them love Athena and her music program.

YASD Vice-President Lisa Zuena presented Athena with her award at the LILC on May 9, 2019

As this year's winner, Athena is Uniondale Public Library's 8th winner of this award.

Athena's father attended the conference with her and was present to see her receive her award.

Congratulations to Athena

on winning the

2019 Young Adult B.E.S.T. Award presented by YASD of NCLA!

You make us proud and we can't wait to see what you do in the future!

[📸credit: Miss. Kendrick-Samuel]

Book Review - On the Come Up

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

On the Come Up

by Angie Thomas

            Like father, like daughter. Bri is an aspiring rapper who also just so happens to be the daughter of a deceased rapper. A performance in a rap battle gets people to notice her, which helps her aunt arrange a track recording. After being assaulted by white cops at school for not allowing them to search her bag, Bri uses her recording opportunity to record “On The Come Up” as a response to it as well as other actions against the black community. When the song goes viral, people start to have their own interpretations of not just the song, but Bri herself. This causes drama for Bri with her family and friends; Bri doesn’t want that, she just wants to be able to use her voice.

            While not a sequel or a companion to The Hate U Give, this story does take place in the same neighborhood and the events of that story are referenced. Bri is a likable character and readers may find themselves sympathizing and/or empathizing with her. The message Bri wants to get across is one that needs to be addressed and it is refreshing to see the flaws in some of the execution.

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Book Review - Monday’s Not Coming

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Monday’s Not Coming

by Tiffany D. Jackson

            Claudia and Monday are best friends who are inseparable except for when Claudia goes to spend the summer with her grandmother. Upon Claudia’s return one summer, she can’t seem to get a hold of Monday and worry start to set in when Monday doesn’t show up for school. Nobody seems to know where Monday is and what’s more, everybody but Claudia seems to be giving up on finding her.

            An intriguing mystery that will keep you turning the page. Without giving too much away, this book is not light and does deal with the topic of child abuse. Readers will still enjoy trying to figure out what happened to Monday.

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Book Review - Perfect Escape

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Perfect Escape

by Jennifer Brown

            All of Kendra’s life seems to revolve around and be influenced by, her older brother Grayson due to his OCD and other “issues”. Living in Grayson’s shadow has caused Kendra to strive to be perfect in her parent’s eyes. Grayson’s return from a trip to a facility to help “fix” him coincides with Kendra finding herself in the middle of a spontaneous road trip to run away from their problems and to visit Zoey who had to move away because of Grayson. Their journey doesn’t go smoothly and involves a few gross motels, picking up a stranger with a baby on the side of the road, and Zoey coming to terms with what she is really running away from.

            A humorous and heartwarming road trip story about self-realization and sibling bonding. Readers will struggle with sympathizing with Kendra having to deal with Grayson’s mental illness, but also with Grayson having to be the one living with them. We don’t get to see much of Grayson beyond his OCD which may cause frustration, but as this story is ultimately Kendra’s many should be able to look past.

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Book Review - (Don’t) Call Me Crazy

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

(Don’t) Call Me Crazy

edited by Kelly Jensen

            There are numerous people today who live life with one or more mental illnesses. Authors and celebrities are no exception. Through various essays, people such as Kristen Bell, Adam Silvera, Libba Bray, Nancy Kerrigan, and MILCK share their personal stories about mental health. Topics such as autism, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphia, depression, and healing are discussed.

A wonderful collection though every story may not be for everyone. Mental Health is not something to be ashamed of and it is wonderful to see so many authors and other celebrities share their stories. The editor wisely adds resources at the end of the book for those who find themselves needing them. There is also a list of books and films where the characters deal with a mental illness.

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