Peer Book Review - The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

 📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

by Avi

Reviewed by Lorymar M. High School for Community Leadership 12th Grader

This book is written from the point of view of Charlotte Doyle and what she went through as she was pushed out of her comfort zone. She learns new things every day about life aboard a ship crossing from England to America. While on that ship Charlotte is exposed to new and different things; things that she wasn't supposed to see or hear and eventually will cost her. 

The thing I liked most about this book is that it was vividly narrated and I was able to imagine every scene in my mind. The way the author wrote this book almost made me feel like I was there. I also liked the terror and fear caused by the setting in the book. 

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Peer Book Review - The Outsiders

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton 

Reviewed by Baldwin HS 10th Grader Asiyyah M.
This book is about a gang in Tulsa Oklahoma back in the 1960s. Two members who are close Johnny and Ponyboy end up killing a gang member on the Soc which are their enemy. Then they both run away in fear of being caught by the police for murder.

What I liked about the book was that the characters were great and the names were easy to remember and they each had their own personality's. I also liked the character development in some of the character. What I disliked about the book is that the movie was detailed more than the book.

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Book Review - The Far Away Brothers

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

The Far Away Brothers (Adapted for Young Adults):

Two Teenage Immigrants Making a Life in America

by Lauren Markham

After ending up on the wrong side of a gang in El Salvador, seventeen-year-old Ernesto Flores must flee to the United States for his safety. His identical twin brother Raul soon follows for his own safety. After facing a treacherous journey to cross the border, the boys are met with a challenging life in the States. Ernesto and Raul are fortunate they have their older brother who had traveled North years early, making certain things more manageable. However, since he also traveled illegally to the States, there are still several obstacles. 

Names and certain aspects were changed for privacy reasons, but this is a true story—the book adapted from the adult novel of the same name. Ernesto and Raul’s story is the main focus, but readers also get insight into the family they left behind. Their story is eye-opening into what immigrants go through to get to a safer life in the United States but still met with challenges. Certain aspects of the story are a little heavy but handled in an age-appropriate way. At times the story reads like fiction, making it easier to read for those who aren’t non-fiction fans. It is just important to remember that while names may be changed, this story is not made up. 

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Book Review - Sunkissed

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Sunkissed

by Kasie West

Avery’s parents have dragged her and her sister Lauren to a family camp for summer. Which wouldn’t be so bad, she is away from her best friend who betrayed her, but the camp has no internet, her sister is always in her face, and the cute staff member Brooks is off-limits. So when Avery sets off on a journey to try new things and find herself, with the help of the attractive off-limits staff member, her summer turns into a worldwide adventure complete with romance.

If you are looking for a great summer read that isn’t super summery, this is one to check out. Despite some drama, it is a light read. The characters are mostly likable, but some may be hard to keep straight. There is a heavy focus on music in this book, as Brooks is a musician, but don’t worry if you’re not knowledgeable about it. You won’t be lost or confused.

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Book Review - When They Call You a Terrorist

  📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

When They Call You a Terrorist

by Patrisse Khan-Cullors

One of the Black Lives Matter movement founders shares her personal story and experience as a member of the Black community in the United States. Patrice shares what the Black men in her life experienced, how BLM came to be, and how members of the Black Community are and have been viewed in this country.

When They Call You a Terrorist is an essential and informative memoir, readers will likely get something from it. Originally written for an older audience, this is the adaptation geared towards younger readers. The topics covered in this book can be sensitive for some readers. Please beware if you are triggered by certain topics such as death, police violence, and severe mental illness. Throughout the story are black and white photos of Patrice and her family and friends. This addition adds some faces to the story even though the photographs aren’t captioned.

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Book Review - A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

 📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

by Laura Taylor Namey

After a trifecta of events causing her life to fall apart, Lila's parents send her to England to spend the summer with her mom's cousin at her inn. Lila is reluctant to go, wanting to stay home and work in her family's Cuban bakery. In England, though, she finds solace in the inn's kitchen mixing English food with a Cuban flair. There is also Orion, a tea shop clerk with troubles of his own, who appoints himself Lila's official guide. As the two spend the summer together, Lila begins to feel England may not be so bad, and there may be a different future than the one who watched disappear.

The characters in this book were all excellent and well written. While romance is a part of the story, this isn't some mushy gushy romance. It's more about Lila and her growth over the summer. The only real issue with this book is that it may make you long for the yummy sounding desserts and things Lila makes. Recommended for fans of Sarah Dessen.

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Book Review - I Wanna Be Where You

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

I Wanna Be Where You Are

by Kristina Forest

Chloe Pierce wants nothing more than to audition for a ballet conservatory. However, her mom won't allow her to while her mom is away on vacation, Chloe devices a plan to audition anyway, which involves hitting the road to D.C.  When her neighbor Eli asks for him and his dog Geezer to hitch a ride, Chloe hits the first of the speed bumps on her road to audition. With two unwanted guests, butterflies in her stomach, and other obstacles along the way, can Chloe make it to her audition?

Readers looking for a great road trip story can find one here. The story is told through Chloe's point of view, and readers will enjoy hearing her insight. Chloe and Eli are both intriguing and entertaining characters, and the relationship between them is engaging.

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Book Review - Stamped

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

In a remix of Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped: From the Beginning, Jason Reynolds reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. He shares how racist views have always existed and why it continues to linger today. Also, while these racist ideas came easily into existence, they can be discredited as well.

You may be thinking, why would you want to read a history textbook? But as Jason Reynolds states, “This is NOT a history book.” While history books can be long, stuffy, and dull, Jason Reynolds shares this narrative freshly and more conversationally. This book also shows a side of history you won’t learn in school.

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E-Books - Tween Friendly Sports Books

• Booked by Kwame Alexander

• Change-Up: Mystery at the World Series by John Feinstein

• Football Genius by Tim Green

• Also available on Hoopla

• Fantasy League by Mike Lupica

• Top Prospect by Paul Volponi

• Also available on Hoopla

E-books - Graphic Novels for Tweens

• New Kid by Jerry Craft
• Also Available on Hoopla
• Making Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk
• Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham
• The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
• Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Book Review - Yes No Maybe So

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Yes No Maybe So

by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

Jamie Goldberg and Maya Rehrman may not be old enough to vote in the special election. Still, they aren’t too young to get roped into canvassing for one of the candidates. Not a fan of public speaking and talking to strangers, Jamie is as thrilled about canvasing as he is giving the speech at his sister’s upcoming Bat Mitzvah. Maya is only canvasing in hopes her parents will get her the promised card, plus her summer can’t get any worse. As the pair knocks on doors together, the friendship they had as young children resurfaces. They also discover there is more to their canvasing then getting votes for their candidate.
Told in the alternating viewpoints of Jamie and Maya, this story tackles many topics without being super preachy about it. Jamie is Jewish and Maya Muslim, so culture and religion play a significant role in their stories and the story as a whole. Both characters have their annoying moments but are overall great characters. Though Jamie’s sister and grandmother both often steal the scenes in which they appear.  

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Check me out as an Audio-book on Hoopla

E-books

• Shine! by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
• Grenade by Alan Gratz
• Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy
• Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
• My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

Book Review - Every Other Weekend

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Every Other Weekend

by Abigail Johnson

Due to the grief of losing the oldest child, Adam’s parents have separated. Adam and his brother Jeff now have to spend every other weekend with their dad at his new apartment. On those same weekends, Jolene has to spend her time there due to her parent’s messy divorce, even though he is never home. During their time spent at the building, Adam and Jolene form a friendship that helps them get through this time. Little do either of them just how important they will become to one another.

Alternating between Adam and Jolene’s perspectives, this story is told primarily during their shared time together at the apartment building. There are some snippets of time in-between though, often told through text messages. While both the main characters are forced to spend their time where they don’t want to, their circumstances for it are very different. These differences make this book great when it comes to sharing various stories. The differences in their situation make it difficult for Adam and Jolene to fully understand what the other is going through, which aids the story. 

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Tween E-books

Miss. Amanda’s Tween E-Book Picks

For Grades 6-8

The library may be closed but you can check out these awesome titles as e-books.

Just download the Libby or Overdrive App to your smartphone or tablet.

Fiction:
The Losers Club by Andrew Clements
Shine! by J.J. Grabenstein and Chris Grabenstein
Grenade by Alan Gratz
Game Changer by Tommy Greenwald
Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse
Carl Hiaasen Collection (Hoot, Flush, Scat, Chomp) by Carl Hiaasen
All We Have Left by Wendy Mills
Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy
Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh
Martin McLean, Middle School Queen by Alyssa Zaczek
My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich by Ibi Zoboi

Non-Fiction:
The Family Romanov by Candace Fleming
Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman
We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai

Book Theme Graphic - More Tween Friendly

Book Review - Since You’ve Been Gone

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Since You’ve Been Gone

by Morgan Matson

Emily has no idea where Sloane has gone. Her friend just disappeared without any warning or explanation. As Sloane was always the one planning what the girls would do, Emily feels lost without her. That is until a to-do list shows up in the mail from Sloane containing tasks like “Hug a Jamie” and “Steal Something.” Emily hopes that by doing completing Sloane’s challenges, she will get clues to what happened to her or that she will be there in the end. As Emily makes her way through the list, she finds herself growing and forming new relationships.

The story alternates between Emily’s life in the present without Sloane and memories of when Sloane, which helps support the feelings she has of not having her friend around. Even though Sloane leaves Emily without warning and no contact other than the letter, readers will find she is a great friend in the way her to-do list helps her. Those who Emily meets away are as superb as Emily. By the end of this book, readers will wish one of their friends would give them a list like Sloane gave Emily.

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Book Theme Graphic - Tween Reads

Book Review - Hope and Other Punchlines

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Hope and Other Punchlines

by Julie Buxbaum

            Abbi Hope Goldstein and Noah Stern may not remember the events of September 11, 2001, but their lives were forever altered by the day’s events. Abbi is the famous Baby Hope the one-year-old photographed with the crown and the balloon being rushed to safety on that day. Almost everywhere she goes people recognize her (thanks to numerous stories that appear about her still) and she hopes that being a counselor at a camp miles away will give her some anonymity. Low and behold Noah, who goes to her school, is also a counselor and recognizes Abbi right away. Noah believes his father who is one of the unnamed individuals in the famous Baby Hope photo, is still alive and didn’t die that day like everyone believes. He also believes Abbi is the key to finding out the truth. Noah and Abbi make a deal: Noah will not share Abbi’s secret if she will help him get in touch with the known photo survivors.

            A captivating look at the lives of two teens too young to remember the tragic day but whose lives are forever effected by it. While the Baby Hope photo and this story are fictional, the events of that day and some of the photos discussed are real. Some people, like Abbi’s parents, do have stories where they worked in the towers but just happened to not be there when the planes hit. Both Noah and Abbi are intriguing characters and their individual and combined stories are real page turners.

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Book Review - Between Shades of Gray

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Between Shades of Gray

by Ruta Sepetys

            Jews being taken from their home in Europe and sent to Concentration Camps during World War II is no secret, but what isn’t really talked about is how they weren’t the only ones. Soviet forces show up at Lina’s house giving her, her brother and their mother little time to pack only a suitcase each. They are being taken to work camps along with hundreds of others. Her father is taken from his work and sentenced to a prison camp. Despite her harrowing journey to their location, an unsatisfactory living environment, and knowing she is sentenced to 25 years of work, Lina doesn’t give up hope.

            A heartbreaking and intriguing story about a part of history they don’t talk about. While Lina is a fictional character her story is inspired by Sepetys’ own family’s story. There is an aspect of the story’s ending that seems a little farfetched, but it doesn’t belittle the overall story as a whole. Historical fiction fans should not miss this captivating story.

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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.

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