Book Review - For Every One

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

For Every One

by Jason Reynolds

This isn’t a made-up story, or a book of facts; it’s a poem. Jason Reynolds originally performed this poem at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers. It’s about dreams and dreamers; Reynolds’ own dreams, and what he thought his life would be like at various ages he has since surpassed. Despite where it was performed and that it is a YA book, this poem is as its name states: for everyone.

            A wonderful and quick read. This is a poem you may want to read over and over again. Jason Reynolds performs the audio version of it and it is worth the 20-30 minute listen as well. Fans of poetry, Jason Reynolds, and/or inspiring works should not miss this.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Peer Book Review - Fire and Blood

📖Recommend for Grades 11 and up📖

Fire and Blood

by George R.R. Martin

Reviewed by 11th Grader Ananya S. 

Hundreds of years before the game of thrones, Aegon Targaryen and his two sister-wives lay siege upon Westeros with their three dragons. They became rulers of the 7 Kingdoms and will be succeeded by the children and grandchildren. Some good but others will be the most vicious rulers to ever be.

Overall it’s an interesting book. The first few chapters are a bit slow, but once past that, you can’t stop reading. Especially if you are a fan of the show, you need to read this book Maybe even twice since there are so much info and events in it.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review: 2 for 1 - Infinity and Invincible

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Both books Reviewed by 8th Grader Carlos U.

            

Infinity

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

                        Nick Gautier, a 14-year-old boy, thinks he knew everyone and everything around him. Until the day his “best friends” tried to kill him. After he wakes up, the man who made him realize there’s more to the world than he knew.

            After reading this thrilling and funny book, I just dived into the series. It has great characters and plot. 10 out of 10. Would recommend.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Invincible

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

                        After the zombie attacks of Infinity, Nick soon has to gain new abilities from a new mentor. All the while he has to fight new beings of different power.

            A great sequel to Infinity. Still has subtle dark humor and a great plot. The character development is still showing. You honestly just keep falling in love with the characters.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Bud,Not Buddy

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Bud, Not Buddy

by Christopher Paul Cutis

Reviewed by 8th Grader Kimberly R.

            Bud was a child who had no mother and did not know who his father was. So he went on an adventure, his momma had left him. Clues for him to find his father.

            Bud, Not Buddy was an amazing book because the character Bud played an amazing role by being an African Child slave in order to find his father.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - Internment

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Internment

by Samira Ahmed

Seventeen-year-old Layla Amin lives in the near-future United States where the government has set curfews and views Muslims as a threat. One night Layla and her parents are interrupted by government officials who come to their home in order to escort them to the new internment camp (Mobius) with other Muslims. While Layla’s parents are okay with going along with everything for safety, Layla is beyond annoyed at the situation. With the help of other teens, she meets in Mobius, her boyfriend on the outside, and an unlikely source, Layla decides to stand up to the government and what they are doing to Muslims.

For some readers this book may hit a little too close to home but for those who feel they can handle it, it’s a must-read. This book has an eerie feel, and while it is set in the near future, many aspects feel like today’s political climate. Layla is a headstrong character who is a reflection of teens today who are standing up for themselves, their peers, and their rights.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

June is Audio Book Month

June is Audio Book Month

and as a huge fan of audio books,

I just had to share some I've enjoyed that are available to you for free

via National Digital Doorway

on the Overdrive or Libby app.

You can find them here:

→ Sadie by Courtney Summers, Read by: Rebecca Soler, Dan Bittner, Fred Berman and 

Gabra Zackman

→ Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson, Read by: Imani Parks

→ Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton, Read by: Christopher Gebauer

→ Dear Martin by Nic Stone, Read by: Dion Graham

→ The Cruel Prince by Holly Black, Read by: Caitlin Kelly

→ Heretics Anonymous by Katie Henry, Read by: Michael Crouch

→ Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz, Read by: Lin-Manuel Miranda

→ I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez, Read by: Kyla Garcia

→ Pride by Ibi Zoboi , Read by Elizabeth Acevedo

→ The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli, Read by Arielle DeLisle

→ Lock & Key by Sarah Dessen, Read by: Rebecca Soler

→ Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse, Read by Natalia Payne

→ The Great American Whatever by Tim Federle, Read by: Tim Federle

For more audio books and e-books as well, visit Nassau Digital Doorway

Book Review - Darius the Great Is Not Okay

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

by Adib Khorram

            Darius Kellner is a bi-racial (his mother is Persian and his father white), clinically depressed, bullied teen who only has one friend. Also, unlike his little sister, only understands a few words in Farsi making it difficult to communicate with his maternal family in Iran. Upon learning that his grandfather is dying, Darius, his sister, and their parents travel to Iran to spend time with him. While at first unsure about the trip, Darius finds his idea of it changing upon meeting his grandparent’s neighbor Sohrab, who also helps him grow during his time in Iran.

            A truly moving and wonderful story, readers will enjoy getting some insight into Persian culture through the eyes of a character who isn’t fully part of it. At times readers may be bothered by Darius’ behavior but most of it is understandable. His depression is a part of his story (there is a big stigma against mental illness in Iran) but not his whole story. The supporting characters wonderfully help shape Darius and his journey throughout the book.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Book Review - Projekt 1065

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Projekt 1065

by Alan Gratz

            Michael O'Shaughnessy is an Irish teen living in Nazi-occupied Germany. At the start of the war, Michael learns that not only is his father the Irish Ambassador to Germany but that he and Michael’s mother are both spies for the Allies. Michael becomes a spy himself and joins Hitler’s Youth in order to gain information. When Simon, a British pilot sent to take photos of a secret project, crashes his plane in Berlin, Michael finds himself in danger of aiding Simon in his mission.

            Fans of historical fiction, especially set during World War II, should definitely check out this book. While Michael’s life differs from that of his classmates, this book is a great look at the lives of teen boys in Berlin during the war. On top of that, it is a great spy fiction with a page-turning action scene.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - The Prince and the Dressmaker

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

The Prince and the Dressmaker

by Jen Wang
Reviewed by 8th Grader Kimberly R.

Prince Sebastian has been hiding a secret from everyone except Francis. His parents have been looking for a bride for him while he puts on dresses, pretending to be a girl to sweep through Paris.

The Prince and the Dressmaker was an amazing book because the book was trying to teach that whatever gender you are, you are still able to wear anything you want. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Read Ms. Amanda' review here

Peer Book Review - Long Way Down

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Long Way Down

by Jason Reynolds

Reviewed by 10th Grader alias Marty McFly.

“Will’s older brothers, has been shot dead. Wills a sadness so great he can’t explain it. But in his the neighborhood, there are rules:           

No. 1: Crying: No matter what don’t cry

No. 2: Snitching: Don’t no matter what

No. 3: Revenge: Do no matter what” 

I thought this book was amazing. It had so many underlying themes in it and I thought it was great. The character really reminded me about myself and my past life. Even though the plot was inconclusive and you don’t get a proper ending, I thought it was a great way to end the book.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Read Ms. Amanda's review here

Weekly Wednesday Quote

Peer Book Review - Original Sin: Who Shot the Watcher?

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Original Sin: Who Shot the Watcher?

by Jason Aaron

Reviewed by 8th Grader Carlos U.

When an extremely powerful space-god, The Watcher is dead, Marvel’s heroes are lead into an investigation. Along the way they discover other forces and new questions arise.

I enjoyed the dark story and plot. The artwork was amazing too. Overall it wasn’t the worst but could be better. It felt a tad bit slow. Other than that, it was fine. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio