Hold Still, by Nina LaCour

Hold Still, by Nina LaCour, revolved around Caitlin starting junior year of high school without her best friend Ingrid there with her. Ingrid committed suicide that past summer, and Caitlin is now suffering in life, being unable to have Ingrid there to share joy, art, music, and laughter with. Caitlin is also greatly affected emotionally be her best friend's unexpected death as she becomes more and more isolated from and unhappy with everything and everyone. However, when Caitlin finds Ingrid's journal, she sees a completely different side of Ingrid that she never knew about, and the journal ends up serving as a guide for Caitlin, helping her get through this tough time in life.

I thought this book was truly excellent and well-executed in telling the story of struggling and coping with a close friend's death. However, I must admit that some parts got quite intense and overwhelming. Once all the bits and pieces of the story came together, though, the story turned out to be very enjoyable and successful. I give this book a 10/10 rating and would recommend it to all who would like to read a remarkable story about the journey after a friend's death that includes all aspects of everyday life, particularly in the life of adolescents.

-Reviewed by Emily, grade 12.

My Life in Pink and Green, by Lisa Greenwald

My Life in Pink and Green, by Lisa Greenwald, is a cute book about a very talented seventh grader. Lucy Desberg can work magic with makeup, despite her young age of twelve. When the local homecoming queen shows up at her family pharmacy with a hair catastrophe and Lucy helps her, it doesn't take long for the news to spread. Out of nowhere she has a long list of appointments for every event. But that won't exactly help her family's struggling pharmacy, Lucy looks for ways to help and stumbles on a way to help the environment too. But when does anyone listen to a little seventh grader?

I was happy with this book, not thrilled or in love, but happy. It was sweet and an averagae book on middle school crushes, beauty, and family. I wish I had a friend like Lucy! I would recommend this book to younger teen girls because they will certainly be able to relate to Lucy and Sunny!

-Reviewed by Kristine K., grade 9.

The Lying Game, By Sara Shepard

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard is a story of two long separated twin sisters, Emma and Sutton, separated at birth, were both adopted but given two very different lives. Sutton was given an amazing, rich life with a loving family and popularity. Emma was abandoned by her mother and shipped from foster home to foster home. When Emma discovers Sutton from a video and Facebook, she messages her and they plan to meet the following day. Emma rushes to Arizone and can't find Sutton, that's when this all begins. Will people truly believe that it's Sutton and not Emma? Where is Sutton?!

To be honest, I wasn't especially thrilled with this book, but it was okay. Sara Shepard writes some pretty good books of this theme. I think it was enjoyable and am planning to read the next book in the series. I recommend this novel to teenage girls who enjoyed Pretty Little Liars, or a series of mystery.

-Reviewed by Kristine K., grade 9.

Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles, by Geoff Emerick and Howard Massey

If you are looking for a definitive story on the work of the Beatles, look no further than Here, There, and Everywhere: My Life Recording the Music of the Beatles by Geoff Emerick and Howard Massey. This is an inside story from audio engineer Geoff Emerick, who begins by telling about his interest in the music industry, and soon tells how he got a job at EMI studios. From there on, he tells of his experiences of working with famous musicians (such as Judy Garland and Elvis Costello), but mostly his many rich experiences with the Beatles. He was there on their first session, and frantic recording of "She Loves You", the creating of the Sgt. Pepper album, and many, many more.

This memoir is packed with the richest of all memories about working with legends ever told, making it impossible to put down, especially if you know the songs of the Beatles. Geoff himself is a very interesting person to learn about, and seems like a very talented person. Every last session comes right off the pages, giving enough detail to choke a mule. Readers will learn so much about music and recording techniques just by reading this. The memoir is filled with times that are funny, sad, frustrating, embarassing, bewildering, pathetic, whimsical, and so on. Though some parts can be a bit slow, there are so many other parts to make up for those. To music fans, get outside and find this book! You owe it to yourself to read this story!

-Reviewed by Liam, grade 9.