Peer Book Review - Chunky by Yehudi Mercado

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Chunky

by Yehudi Mercado
Reviewer says: 9th grade and up
Librarian says: 6th grade and up

Hudi is a child that needs to lose weight, according to his doctors. His parents want him to lose weight so they want him to sign up for multiple sports. The first sport he joined was baseball and he ended up getting injured. Then he signed up for soccer, which also didn't go well. He also did swimming, tennis, and football, but none of it went well. He wanted to pursue his dream, which is comedy.

I liked that Hudi was very resilient. Even though one sport didn't work out for him he was willing to try another one. I also love that he is very passionate about what he really wants to do. 
Reviewed by: Amanda S., 12th grader at UHS
Interested in reading this book?
Stop by Teen Space to pick up a copy. You can check first by calling us at 516-489-2220 x218 or looking in the online catalog.

Peer Book Review - Last Chance Books by Kelsey Rodkey

Last Chance Books

by Kelsey Rodkey

Reviewer says: 8th grade and up
Librarian says: 9h grade and up
Madeline Moore has always had the dream of taking over her family-owned bookstore, Books & More. But when a bigger bookstore, Prologue, opens across the street, it's a threat to their business. She attempts to destroy Prologue while also dealing with their cute manager, Jasper, who continues their rivalry. I loved how the main character, Madeline, also shared my love for books. I enjoyed the cute enemies to lovers romance between Madeline and Jasper, especially with the back and forth banter. I also enjoyed how this book explored the complications of parent-child relationships and sibling relationships. This is a great story for readers looking for a cute fluffy summer romance story. Reviewed by: Kaya F.., 8th grader at Poly Prep Country Day Schoo
Interested in reading this book?
Stop by Teen Space to pick up a copy. You can check first by calling us at 516-489-2220 x218 or looking in the online catalog.
Interested in reading an e-book copy or listening on audio?
Check here for e-books and here for digital audio-books.

Peer Review - To Dance by Siena Cherson SIegel

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To Dance
by Siena Cherson SIegel

Reviewer says: 6th grade and up
Librarian says: 6th grade and up
Siena was told at a young age that she had flat feet and that dancing would not be able to fix this. She dreamed of being a ballerina and was committed to the idea. Throughout the years she finds out ballet is harder than it looks.
I loved how Siena was very determined throughout the book. I think the book teaches a very valuable lesson. The book has a very good story line. 
Reviewed by: Amanda S., 12th grader at UHS

Interested in reading this book?
Stop by Teen Space to pick up a copy. You can check first by calling us at 516-489-2220 x218 or looking in the online catalog.

Peer Book Review - I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sánchez

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I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter

by Erika Sánchez

Reviewer says: 8th grade and up

Librarian says: 10th grade and up

Julia Reyes, a Mexican-American high school student, just lost her sister and it’s hitting her harder than she thought it would. Never really having a relationship with her older sister she tries to find something, anything that will tell her who her sister really was. As she embarks on this journey she navigates her way through life, trying to cope with her mental health, familial struggles, and the everyday challenges that come with being a teenage girl.

I like this book. I feel like many people will be able to resonate with it in some way. Especially the way she struggles with her self confidence, and trying to see eye to eye with her parents. Also, the fact that she never gives up on her dreams, no matter how tough life gets, can be very encouraging.

Reviewed by: V.W., 10th grader at St. Anthony's

Interested in reading this book?
Stop by Teen Space to pick up a copy. You can check first by calling us at 516-489-2220 x218 or looking in the online catalog.
Interested in reading an e-book copy or listening on audio?
Check here for e-books and here for digital audio-books.

Peer Book Review - Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

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Out Of My Mind
by Sharon M. Draper

Reviewer says: 6th grade and up

Librarian says: 6th grade and up

Melody is a girl with cerebral palsy. This can make it difficult to move and speak so therefore she has to sit in a wheelchair and have a device to help her talk. Her parents have done everything they can to help her live a normal life, but life is often difficult and frustrating. But this doesn’t let her down all of the time. Despite having this disability, she is very smart but is often doubted. 
I liked this story a lot and enjoyed it because of Melody. She is an interesting character and it’s captivating to see a look into her everyday life as a person with cerebral palsy. She persevered throughout her life facing challenges constantly but getting through it with the support of her family.
Reviewed by: Kiara M., 8th grader at THMS

Interested in reading this book?

Stop by Teen Space to pick up a copy. You can check first by calling us at 516-489-2220 x218 or looking in the online catalog.

Interested in reading an e-book copy or listening on audio?

Check here for e-books and here for digital audio-books.

Book Review - Feed

 📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Feed

by M.T. Anderson

Reviewed by Scared Heart Academy 9th Grader Michelle V.

The feed is a computer chip put in your brain at a young age. Link meets a girl named Violet who soon becomes his girlfriend. She didn’t get the feed early, so it is messing with her body. As more problems unravel, she becomes less and less well.

It was good but very confusing. The feed ads kept on interfering with the actual book so I could barely tell what was real and what was an ad.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - The Hobbit

 📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

The Hobbit

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Reviewed by Scared Heart Academy 9th Grader Michelle V.

Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and the dwarves set out on an adventure to get the dwarves kingdom back from an evil dragon. But they have a few problems along the way.

It was a very long book. But, it was interesting because day after day they were on that mission there was always someone standing in their way. Whether it was goblins, wolves, or a giant evil dragon they still found a way out alive.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Speak

 📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson

Reviewed by Scared Heart Academy 9th Grader Michelle V.

Melina Sordino is a high school freshman who is hated by many people. She keeps quiet because she is scared of anyone not believing her. If only they knew.

I thought this was a great book. It spread awareness of the situation. Some people don’t want to say what happened because they are afraid of no one believing them.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Book Review - Night

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Night

by Elie Wiesel 

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

Night is a memoir of a young Jewish boy and what he experienced during the Holocaust. The book first stated out in a small town that Wiesel lived with his family. Later on his family and other Jews in town are picked up by Nazi officers without knowing what was coming to them.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Holocaust and who wants to learn more on the topic. Having this book be written by someone who experienced such tragic things makes you feel some type of way. Personally it made me want to read more and educate myself on this topic.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Boo Review - Acception

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Acception

by Colourbee

Reviewed by Asiyyah M. 9th Grader at Baldwin HS

It is about a boy named arcus who moves to a school in the Netherlands and becomes friends with a girl named Maud and iris and gale. He gets bullied because of the way he dresses and acts sometimes and he wants to become a fashion designer one day. The book is filled with drama too.

: I like the character development in some of the characters. For example, Iris who was popular in school and hung out with fake and mean girls and realized it wasn't a good thing and found nice and real friends. Another example is Gale who used to drink and smoke at 16 and learned to become responsible to take care of his sister and mom and eventually quit smoking. The comedy is good too and there isn't anything I dislike about the book. 

Please note this is not a book but a Webcomic and it can be found here 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio  

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 Theme Graphic - Tween and Teen Summer Reads

 

Peer Book Review - Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
by James Patterson
Reviewed by THMS 8th Grader Daniel P.
This is the story of a kid named Rafe. He gets into a lot of trouble in school. He does something serious and is put into jail. His mother is a great person but he lives with an irresponsible father. 

This is an okay book. Rafe isn’t a bad kid but makes bad decisions. He is a very likable person. He really makes the story although it doesn’t end well. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Refugee

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Refugee
by Alan Gratz
Reviewed by THMS 8th Grader Daniel P.
This story tells us how three immigrants called Josef, Isabel and Mahmoud want to leave their country. They want to leave due to wars in their countries. They go across oceans in an attempt to find a better home. All go through many obstacles. 

I would highly recommend this book. It shows how our world is and how many kids have to deal with adult problems. I hope many people read this great book. 

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

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Peer Book Review - So Done

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

So Done
by Paula Chase

Reviewed by THMS 8th Grader Briana M.

The book So Done is very interesting. It has two points of view from best friends. This book involves secrets, life in middle school, and dance auditions. These best friends were separated during the summer, which ruined their friendship. 

So Done is perfect for kids like me. The book has many relating events; in fact, I relate with this book. Needless to say, but I believe that Paula Chase is a very creative author, and with this book, she connects with the reader. 

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Peer Book Review - Treasure Hunters: Danger Down the Nile

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Treasure Hunters: Danger Down the Nile

by James Patterson

Reviewed by THMS 8th Grader Daniel P.

This is the second adventure of the group “kids.” Four orphan kids who are looking for their parents. Many people want their parent’s wealth so they attempt to kill the kids.

I would recommend this book. It has mystery and action in one. It tells the tragic story of a group of orphans.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Holes

📖Recommend for Grades 6 and up📖

Holes

by Louis Sacher

Reviewed by 7th Grader Ashna R.

Holes is about a boy named Stanley Yelnats who is wrongfully sent to a juvenile camp for something he didn’t do. The warden makes the campers dig a hole 5 feet deep and wide. Stanley then starts to suspect that the camp is making them dig for treasure. He gets very suspicious.

This book is full of mysteries and cliffhangers. It has a great sense of humor and the story just keeps getting interesting. This book really describes how badly Stanley was treated and how he felt. It was also filled with powerful emotions.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio

Peer Book Review - Black Swan Green

📖Recommend for Grades 11 and up📖

Black Swan Green
by David Mitchell
Reviewed by 9th Graders Kayla C.
This book is about Jason Taylor who is a teenager that is facing any challenges. Some of these challenges are smoking, stammering problems, and low self-esteem. One of Jason's friends had to remind him that "do not let people decide who you will be." This quote meant to me, don't put down yourself for the things you like, be proud of yourself, and believe in yourself.
I rate this novel a five star because teenagers like myself can relate to this novel in so many ways. Jason and I face similar challenges. The author made this novel to inspire kids and make them feel confident in themselves.

Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio
Please note UPL does not currently own this book but those interested can inter-loan a copy from another library.