Peer Book Review - Hood

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Hood

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. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio 

Book Review - Of Curses and Kisses

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Of Curses and Kisses

by Sandhya Menon

A contemporary spin on Beauty and the Beast, this story tells the tale of Princess Jaya Rao and His Lordship Grey Emerson, who come from feuding families. Years ago, the Emerson family stole a ruby from the Rao's, and Jaya's great-grandmother put a curse on it and the Emersons. After his mother dies in childbirth, Grey's father believes the curse to be real. Grey is then sent away in the mountains at St. Rosetta's International Academy to not have to deal with him. When a photo of Jaya's sister Isha gets leaked to the press, their parents also send them to St. Rosetta's unaware Grey goes there. When Jaya discovers an Emerson, who likely leaked the photo is Isha, attends her new school, she plans to make him fall for her, all to break his heart. Grey can't shake the feeling Jaya is hiding something, and he thinks it has something to do with her ruby rose pendant. As the pair spend time together, they start to question things they thought they knew.
Alternating between both Jaya and Grey's point of view, this is a fun fairytale retelling. Both characters are fun and distinct, and the dynamic between them is enjoyable. Readers will enjoy the similarities to the fairy tale it's based on but often in different takes. Though this is a fairy tale retelling and has the mention of curses, it is not a fantasy novel but does have hints of possible magic.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

E-book

• Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross
• Also available on Hoopla
• A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
• Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon
• Cinder by Marissa Meyer
• The Shadow Queen by C. J. Redwine