Someone Like You, by Sarah Dessen

Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen describes the normal life of a teenager that has suddenly become not so normal anymore. Halley Cooke is your average fifteen year old with a controlling therapist mother, quiet father who avoids confrontations, and one and only best friend, whom she can always count on, Scarlett. Everything is normal until Scarlett’s boyfriend, Michael Sherwood, dies, Scarlett learns she’s pregnant with his baby, and Halley gets involved with bad boy Macon Faulkner, and this is when the new definition of normal has to be made.

First and foremost, Dessen has written a book that captures the real and raw emotions of teenagers. She does not overdo it, making her characters have a tantrum on every other page, nor does she leave them bland, showing no significant emotions. She is able to bring out that rawness and energy that is experienced with the emotions. The author is very good in her pacing of the story, and keeps reminding the reader of the time going by with the mention of holidays and months. Her exposition is not slow and she jumps right into it, and it does not slow down during the book. She also weaves a very sweet and enviable friendship between Halley and Scarlett, but I would have appreciated a little bit more history of their friendship rather than only the start of it. Macon’s and Halley’s relationship throughout the story is also admirable in its actuality. The author didn’t create a relationship that sprung out of nowhere and leave the reader to question if the characters were together or not. The reader is also pulled in by the conflict between Halley and her mother, which is experienced by many teenagers everywhere, and so is very relatable. Her characters, especially Halley, are realistic and totally relatable with their thoughts and actions and win the sympathy of the readers (at least for me). Dessen creates a small town setting with comfy little characters that have to make big, uncomfortable, and life-changing decisions that make the book all too real.

Lilit, Grade 12
Central Library

The Fallout, by S.A. Bodeen

After being held in a compound by his mentally insane father for six years, Eli is finally reunited with his twin brother, Eddy and his grandmother. As they reemerge and try to lead normal lives, Eli feels as if they are being watched everywhere they go. This anxiety worsens as new information arises from his father's company and Eddy's new suspicious friend. Unsure of who to trust, nothing seems normal to Eli anymore, which makes trying to fit in even more complicated than it already was.

 

Fallout by S.A. Bodeen was a good end to The Compound and it was written and executed nicely. I liked how the problems that Eli and hi family had had were figured out and they had a shot at leading normal lives after being deprived of six years of it. They all change for the better and learn more things about themselves and each other that they hadn't known before. I really liked the book and would recommend both books to anyone into young-adult, almost dystopian types of books.

 

Lusine M., Grade 9

Central Library

 

For One More Day, by Mitch Albom

For One More Day, by Mitch Albom, that forces you to realize that the concept of family is never simply black and white and you only know what you had until you lose it. Charley “Chick” Benetto’s life has gone down the drain: he has lost all his money, developed a drinking problem, and has been shut out of his only daughter’s life by not being invited to her wedding. One night he decides to drive out to his hometown and take his life, but instead is given the privilege to visit his dead mother who had raised him and his sister as a single mother in the 1960s. He is given the chance to spend one more day with his beloved mother and learn her sacrifices and realize the strength of parental love.


Albom creates a unique voice for the protagonist: he’s bitterly funny and heartbreakingly broken. He deftly alternates between his past childhood memories and his present situation with his mother. Each memory tugs at the heartstrings for the young boy who grew up way too fast. It also keeps readers intrigued with the secrets that unravel one after the other, continuously shocking and gasp-worthy. The way that Charley is presented and described is also painfully heartbreaking and can be related to in so many ways. The author does a very good job with tone and playing with readers’ emotions. I found myself crying from start to finish, and just when I thought I ran out of tears, fresh ones would pop up. This is not a read for the emotionally weak person because it will make your heart ache and eyes flood with every turn of the page.


Reviewed by Lilit, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library

Code Geass: Knight, by Various

Code Geass: Knight, by Various, is a collection of light-hearted stories based Code Geass. Fifteen authors all share their take on Lelouch's rebellion, often using gags to question elements in the original. There is no indecation on the outside of the book showing that this is a spin-off, so the reader has no way of knowing to read the Code Geass first. Originally thinking that Knight was a story on its own, I was very frustrated when reading this. And as one may expect, I first thought that the book was just terribly written. But, I have since changed my opinion. After some digging, I found out the real nature of Knight and I read Code Geass. Once I was clued-in on the backstory for Knight's mini-stories, I found that the book wasn't too bad. The jokes are funny enough, and it is very interesting seeing 15 different takes on Code Geass' art style. But, besides that, there isn't much for me to say about this book.  If you are a big fan of the Code Geass series, you may want to read this for a few laughs about a notoriously dark series. But I wouldn't recommend this for the general public. It's only funny if you know the original, and the lack of a cover summary leads to frustrating confusion.  Reviewed by Matty, Grade 12 Montrose Library

Hexed, by Michelle Krys

Hexed, by Michelle Krys, is about a girl named Indigo blackwood who is just as any regular teenager even though her quirky mom owns an occult shop and a nerd wont stop trying to be her friend but she's still high in the social status for example: popular cheerleader, football- star boyfriend and a social circle to make everyone's lives at her school a living hell, then mysteriously a guy dies right in front of her and a dusty old family bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. but that's when a sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie's world, it's when that moment she learns that her destiny involves a lot more than pom-pom's and parties. if she doesn't get that bible back, every witch on the planet will die (yup you heard me "witch's"), and that's major bad news for indie because according to bishop, she's a witch too. so forced into centuries old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie is about to uncover the dark truths about her life and a future unlike any other she's ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid

If you're into magic witches and sorcerers then this is the book for you, I would defiantly recommend this to teen's of all ages, the plot isn't just some supernatural story where the girl is learning how to fight with supernatural powers and falls for her trainer, no it is completely the opposite there is action comedy and very little bit of romance. if this isn't the book for you then your crazy not to give it a chance, if you ever finish the book don't worry the author will be writing the sequel soon and you can get on e-books, to me if this book was on a scale from 1-10 I would rate it a defiant 10.

Reviewed by Nina G., Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

Invisible, by James Patterson

Emmy Dockery thinks that there is a link between hundreds of unsolved cases, she takes a leave of her job as an FBI researcher to take these cases on by herself. Everyone thinks shes crazy and not even her ex-boyfriend believes her. Although no one believes her, Emmy is determined to prove them all wrong and find out who was in charge of her sister's death. But not even Emmy is totally prepared for what is yet to come on her journey to get justice for her sister and and all the other hundreds of unsolved cases.


Invisible, by James Patterson, was very exciting and pretty fast paced. The author created twists and turns that you wouldn't expect and that made it harder to put down. It was mysterious and interesting, making it an enjoyable read. I would recommend this to anyone who likes mystery, thriller, and action based books, and I would definitely read this book a few more times. The book was very well-written and there is just enough of suspense and action to keep you satisfied.




Reviewed by Lusine M., Grade 8
Glendale Central Library

The Distance Between Us, by Kasie West

Caymen Meyers and her mother have learned the tactics of the rich and that they are not people who should be trusted. She is struck head over heels when she meets Xander Spence, a rich boy who meets all the opposite characteristics she has set on the rich. Through their journey Caymen realizes that he may be different and decides to give him a chance. They are met with many difficulties and new discoveries that not only affect their relationship, but also families.

I thought The Distance Between Us, by Kasie West, was fantastic and a great easy, summer reading. I loved the plot and the surprising events that occur throughout the book. I mainly enjoyed getting to know the main character Caymen as she has many different layers to her personality. I would recommend this book for readers who are looking for a romance book without a heavy plot.

 
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

The Distance Between Us, by Kasie West

Caymen Meyers and her mother have learned the tactics of the rich and that they are not people who should be trusted. She is struck head over heels when she meets Xander Spence, a rich boy who meets all the opposite characteristics she has set on the rich. Through their journey Caymen realizes that he may be different and decides to give him a chance. They are met with many difficulties and new discoveries that not only affect their relationship, but also families.

I thought The Distance Between Us, by Kasie West, was fantastic and a great easy, summer reading. I loved the plot and the surprising events that occur throughout the book. I mainly enjoyed getting to know the main character Caymen as she has many different layers to her personality. I would recommend this book for readers who are looking for a romance book without a heavy plot.

 
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library