Lola and the Boy Next Door, by Stephanie Perkins

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. Lola just wants to stay away from them, but fate has something else in store for her.
When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

The book Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins was very inspiring. It shows you to not be afraid to show everyone who you are or what you are. You should be confident in your own style. You should be with the person your heart desires. This book is meant for every teenage girl. You should not care what people say or think about you. You are the best in who you are and don't need to change anything. Your true love and soul mate will happy with the way you are. This book teaches teens to not put a fake image just stay the way you are.

 

Reviewed by Kristine Z.; grade 12

Central Library

The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck

The Grapes of Wrath is about a man named Tom Joad, who had just been released from prison and was headed back to his home land in Oklahoma where his family owned land and had a farm. When he got back he realized that there were a lot of people that were leaving Oklahoma and heading to California for cheap work because banks were taking back their land because the workers couldn't make their housing payments because of the dust bowl. When he finally got back to his family they got kicked off their land and they had to leave for California to find work.

My opinion of the book The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck, would be that it is a good book to read if you want to know how it was back in time and how hard it was to find work. Most people depended on their farms for their income and when the dust bowl hit it ruined everything started killing their crops and that took their main maybe only source of income away. And they had to live on the road with little to eat and barely any money. I liked it because I like learning about what life what like is the past, that way I can compare it to how life is now.

Reviewed by Samantha, grade 12.
Montrose Library

Wicked, by Sara Shepard

Wicked, by Sara Shepard, is the fifth book in the unbelievable Pretty Little Liars series. A's identity revelation should've helped the girls right? Wrong. They have more problems then ever. Aria's attracted to her Mom's new boyfriend and he to her. She's thinking of moving to her dad's to escape his constant attempts of flirting. Lets not forget Hanna, her obsession with being the queen of the school is at its full peak. She befriends Kate, Naomi, and Riley, her recent enemies. But when she finds out Kate is planning something against her, Hanna might spill some dirty secrets. What will Daddy say? Spencer's dealing with the consequences of cheating on her Golden Orchard essay. Not only that, but now there are news that she might've been adopted! Too bad her mother never told her not to believe everything she hears! It seems Emily is getting the break, she has a new boyfriend! If only these girls remembered, in Rosewood, someone is always watching...

As always, I loved this book! It seems that every book I read by Sara Shepard is amazing! Those poor girls never seem to get a break! I was completely shocked by Hanna in this book and I'm dying to read the next one, Killer! Sara Shepard has an amazing writing style that I prefer over other books. Every chapter is a different girl's life. Seeing the story from different points of views makes it even more interesting and detailed! Also, you get to see what each of them is thinking rather than just one person! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes the television series or overall mystery! You won't be disappointed!

Reviewed by Kristine K, grade 9
Casa Verdugo Branch

Thwonk, by Joan Bauer

Thwonk, by Joan Bauer, is a fun leisurely read. A.J. McCreary is about to get the visitor of a lifetime, Jonathon, a Cupid. A.J., aspiring photographer, never prospered in the romantic field. She searched for looks and not personality. When Jonathon gives her help in her choice of three categories (academics, arts, and romance ), A.J. decides to have the guy of her dreams fall in love with her. Peter Terris, the guy she's been in love with, needed only one shot from Jonathon's arrows, THWONK! He's in love with her forever. But what did she love about him? His beauty...careful what you wish for..

I needed a light book to read for fun this week and Thwonk was perfect! It's relatable, for girls mainly, and interesting to read. I loved how our similar preferences don't usually bring the best matches! I have never read a book by Joan Bauer before so it was cool to see her writing style. I think it was an overall good book and I'm thinking of checking her other books out! If your looking for a light, relaxed read then I highly recommend you read this! However, I think only preteen-teen girls would enjoy it because it is more relatable.

Reviewed by Kristine K., grade 9
Casa Verdugo Branch