Teen Book Review: Also Known As by Robin Benway

“Also Known As” by Robin Benway, is a story about a young girl Maggie Silver, who was raised as an exceptional lock-picker and spy. She is oblivious to everyday life experiences for normal teenage girls. So when she is sent to a private high school to complete a mission, she doesn’t know anything about making friends, or enemies… This book is a thrill with action and humor from cover to cover. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to laugh so hard that they will cry!
(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 13, Western Middle School) 


Click here to reserve a copy.

Waiting On Wednesday: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

The Red Queen

By Victoria Aveyard

Publication Date: February 10, 2015

From Goodreads:

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

Why I Picked It:

It sounds like a mixture of Cinderella, meets Graceling, meets The Selection, in a brand new world with twists all of its own. This book looks to be a promising start to a riveting new trilogy.

If you think that Red Queen sounds interesting and would like to read it, click the link and it will take you to this book on the library’s Website where you can put your name on the hold list.

Monday Meme Spotlight: John Green

That's right. The giant squid of anger himself, John Green. 

    John Green has, in the recent years, rocketed onto the teen scene, becoming a household name. For years he has been widely regarded in the book community as a must-read author, and now he has become the source of tears and heartache and "feels" for anyone who's ever read his books, whether it be the tear-jerking The Fault in Our Stars (now a major motion picture) or the mind-bending mystery Paper Towns. 

    With his unique writing style (he isn't afraid to use big words and metaphors that make your heart stop with their beauty) and his way of twisting the plot until your eyes cross and you know you aren't going to get the happy ending because there aren't enough pages left, John Green writes his way into your heart, and he doesn't let go. His characters stay with you forever, from the wildly brave Augustus Waters to Judge-Judy-obsessed Hassan, and his books are well-loved by nearly everyone who reads them. 

     

     No matter who you are, John Green has written or done something you'll like, whether it's The Fault in Our Stars or his appearances on Tumblr or Vlogbrothers, and he writes in a way that everyone can relate to, about the heartaches and realities of life. The only problem is....

We don't know anything about the next book. 

     Goodreads.com has a placeholder record with no information, leaving us all feeling like...

     It'll be okay though. Eventually we will once again drown in his words. To check out John Green's books and get them from the library, click here.

Teen Book Review: Unbroken: An Olympian's Journey from Airman to Castaway to Captive by Laura Hillenbrand*

This book, written by Laura Hillenbrand, was the most in depth, terrifyingly real, book I have ever read. This book follows, Louis Zamperini, also known as 'Loui,' after his plane crashed in the ocean, due to failed engines. He and two other men, Phil and Mac, are forced to live on two small yellow rafts. With sharks, storms, Japanese war planes shooting at them and death, they finally are picked up on the 47th day of living on the ocean. They are taken by some Japanese men, who hold them as prisoner for over two years. With sickening details, this book gave me every emotion known to mankind. I would only recommend this to people who don’t mind crying or feeling sick in a book. But overall amazing book.
(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 13, Western Middle School)


*This review refers to the Young Adult Adaptation published 11/14/14 by Delacorte Press.


Click here to reserve a copy.

Waiting On Wednesday: Love, Lucy by April Lindner

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine, and it gives you a chance to spotlight a book that you are eagerly waiting to be released.

This week, I picked:

Love, Lucy

By April Lindner

Publication Date: January 27, 2015

From Goodreads:

While backpacking through Florence, Italy, during the summer before she heads off to college, Lucy Sommersworth finds herself falling in love with the culture, the architecture, the food...and Jesse Palladino, a handsome street musician. After a whirlwind romance, Lucy returns home, determined to move on from her "vacation flirtation." But just because summer is over doesn't mean Lucy and Jesse are over, too.

In this coming-of-age romance, April Lindner perfectly captures the highs and lows of a summer love that might just be meant to last beyond the season.

Why I picked it:

I really enjoyed reading Lindner’s first book, Jane (a retelling of Jane Eyre), and I am curious to see what kind of spin she puts on this retelling of A Room With a View.

If you think that Love, Lucy sounds interesting and would like to read it, click the link and it will take you to this book on the library’s Website where you can put your name on the hold list.

Teen Book Review: The Raft by S. A. Bodeen

The Raft by S.A. Bodeen, was a riveting story about a young fifteen year old girl, Robie, who was one of the unlucky survivors of a fatal plane crash… that landed in the middle of the ocean.  With only a yellow raft, and packet of skittles, and an uncooperative man to survive on, Robie tries to survive the Pacific oceans treacherous weather. With horrifying details, and very visual descriptions, this story kept me on the edge of my seat from cover-to-cover. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a strong stomach, and a taste for adventure. 
(Reviewed by Gingerbread637, 13, Western Middle School)