Friday, April 30, 2021
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Book Review - Happily Ever Afters
📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖
by Elise Bryant
Tessa Johnson has only ever seen herself as the leading lady in the stories she writes. Stories she only shares with her best friend, Caroline. After moving to a new town, Tess is accepted into a prestigious Creative Art School. She is finally ready to share her stories with others, except Tessa has been met with major writer’s block. Luckily Caroline has a plan, get Tessa’s crush Nico, who also happens to look like the love interest in Tessa’s story, to fall in love with her for inspiration. As the plan goes on, and it looks like Tessa may be getting what she wants. She also finds that she may be losing things, such as her sweet new neighbor Sam.
Tessa’s story is a sweet and fun read. Readers will have fun choosing sides if they want Tessa to end up with Nico or Sam. This book may be a love story, but it also deals with many other factors, including family and friendship. Tessa’s older brother Miles has disabilities, which is a significant aspect of her life, and affects her relationship with her parents. A wonderful part of this book is that it features a diverse cast of characters. Racism and Ableism do exist in this book, but they do not control the narrative. Oh, and just a side warning, Sam is a baker, so be prepared to be craving the yummy treats he makes throughout the book.
Friday, April 23, 2021
Wednesday, April 21, 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Book Review - A Thousand Questions
📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖
by Saadia Faruqi
Mimi and her mother are spending the summer in Pakistan with the grandparents she has never met in person. She secretly hopes to find her estranged father and uses her journal to write him letters she will never send. Sakina is the daughter of Mimi’s grandparents’ cook, who longs to go to school, though her family can’t afford it. When the two girls meet, they discover they can help the other out, leading to an unlikely friendship.
An excellent and beautiful story about friendship, culture, and learning to judge others. The story alternates between Mimi and Sakina’s perspectives which gives a fun view into what they think about the other and what they are thinking. Classism plays an important role in this book, as does judging others with little to no knowledge. Readers will not be disappointed with Mimi, Sakina, or their story.
Saturday, April 17, 2021
Friday, April 16, 2021
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
Book Review - Concrete Rose
📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖
by Angie Thomas
Seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter is the son of the former gang leader for the Kings Lords in Garden Heights. He himself joined them for protection and used the gang's connections to help take care of his mom while his dad is in prison. His life isn't perfect, but it works, and it helps to have a fly girlfriend. Maverick's world is turned upside down when he finds out that the three-month-old baby he thought was his buddy King's son is actually his. With his son's mother leaving the baby in his care, now Maverick finds himself with a kid to take care of on top of everything else. Can Maverick juggle taking care of his family, school, work, and his friends? Can he also handle the other curve balls life is going to throw his way?
Concrete Rose is a can't miss prequel to Angie Thomas' award-winning novel The Hate U Give. While The Hate U Give is about Starr Carter, Concrete Rose goes back to when her dad Maverick learns that Seven is his son. The books can be read in either order as the prequel won't really spoil the original story. Those who read the first book will love returning to Garden Heights and seeing familiar characters when they were younger. The characters, both familiar and not, are all great and well developed. Maverick needs to tackle a lot throughout this story. Readers will enjoy following his journey and seeing what choices he makes. Teens should be aware book handles many heavy topics. These topics include violence, death, gangs, drug dealing, parents in prison, sex, and teen pregnancy and parenting.
Friday, April 9, 2021
Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Monday, April 5, 2021
Peer Book Review - Hood
📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖
by Jenny Elder Moke
Reviewed by Asiyyah M. 9th Grader at Baldwin HS
It was about a girl named Isabelle who was arrested and in prison and her mom helps her escape and tells her she has to run away or else they will find her. She goes to another town and meets a lot of people like Thomas whom she's related to. She is very experienced with her bow and arrow and believes she is brave enough to go on an adventure to find her father Robin Hood.
I didn't like how it was worded so much like I feel the story was a bit dry with vocabulary. What I like about the book was the suspense and the character development in Helena. The plot was good too.
Friday, April 2, 2021
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