AnnMarie Walker is a 14 year old girl who gets pregnant in the book On the Come Up, by Hannah Weyer . She's in love with Darius, the baby's father. She listens to him even when he's in his worst moods. Towards the end of her pregnancy, she auditions for a role in a movie. She lands the spot and begins her little career of stardom. Soon after the movie's release, she goes back to being a mother and taking care of hers, along with questioning her sexuality, meeting new people, and falling in love with the right person.
This book is wow. The writing style is totally different from any other book I've read and it feels good, quite refreshing as well. It's also based on a true story, but it's also fictional, so all I could imagine were the characters being real and half of it actually happening. It's quite inspiring as well, even though AnnMarie faced some troubles in her life, she was still able to take care of herself and the one's she loved, and stepping up to not care about what others thought of her. It made me want to get up and do something good with my life. I loved it and hope a lot of people give it a go.
Reviewed by Anahit T., grade 12
Glendale Central Library
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Hex Hall, by Rachel Hawkins
In Hex Hall, by Rachel Hawkins, Sophie Mercer has just discovered that she is a witch. After a spell goes wrong she gets sent to Hex Hall, a reform school, where she meets her own set of problems. She falls in love with a handsome warlock, makes three enemies, and has a ghost "friend". Will Sophie be able to survive when students start getting killed?
This fast read is a great book that has a romance and other worldly feel. Sophie is down to Earth and fails which makes her all that much more relatable. People who enjoy a romantic comedy mixed with mystery will fall head over heels for this book. As a book one of a series it makes a great introduction to the world of Hex Hall.
Reviewed by Jackie, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Library
This fast read is a great book that has a romance and other worldly feel. Sophie is down to Earth and fails which makes her all that much more relatable. People who enjoy a romantic comedy mixed with mystery will fall head over heels for this book. As a book one of a series it makes a great introduction to the world of Hex Hall.
Reviewed by Jackie, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Library
11/22/63, by Stephen King
In Stephen King's book 11/22/63, Jake Epping travels back in time. When his friend, Al Templeton, suggests he use his ability to travel back in time to save President John Kennedy, Jake decides to do it. But, sadly for Jake, time does not want to be changed and it creates obstacles that Jake must solve ad learn from after each visit to the past. Even with his knowledge of how the future will play out Jake can never be certain that he is making the right decision because life turns on a dime. He never knows the consequences of his actions.
This is one of the best books I have ever read. This novel plays by its own rules, which can change at any point. The reader learns along with Jake and discovers his flaws and misinformation about the past and present and the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people who enjoy a fascinating thriller that makes up its own definition of time travel.
Reviewed by Jackie, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
This is one of the best books I have ever read. This novel plays by its own rules, which can change at any point. The reader learns along with Jake and discovers his flaws and misinformation about the past and present and the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to people who enjoy a fascinating thriller that makes up its own definition of time travel.
Reviewed by Jackie, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
Inferno, by Dan Brown
In Inferno, by Dan Brown, Robert Langdon is back and this time in Italy in the 4th installment of the Robert Langdon series. He awakes in a hospital with no recollection of the past 36 hours, and is in possession of a series of codes. He is on the run from dangerous people as he dives head first into the world of Dante's Inferno on a quest to save himself and the world.
With adventure at every turn, mixed with history and codes, Inferno is the perfect novel to get caught up in! The reader is kept guessing until the very end and everything is revealed. Although it may seem like a long book. it is a fast read because of its fast paced nature. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a fast paced thriller.
Reviewed by Jackie, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Library
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
My Name is Mary Sutter, by Robin Oliveira
In My Name is Mary Sutter, by Robin Oliveira, Marry Sutter dreams of becoming a surgeon even if she has to overcome the prejudices against women. When the Civil War breaks out Mary leaves home against her mother's wishes to go to Washington D.C. to fulfill her dream. Her mother desperately needs her at home to take care of her sister, but Mary doesn't want to give up. As her mother's pleas become more desperate Mary has a life changing decision to make.
This book was a riveting historical novel that truly explored the hardships of the Civil War. The issues that Mary faces come to life and were relatable to people in the 21st century. I highly recommend this book to all. The pacing of the book allowed for the reader to decide what he/she would have done in that particular situation. This makes My Name is Mary Sutter a fascinating read that is hard to put down.
Reviewed by Jackie, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Library
Monday, July 21, 2014
Marked, by P.C Cast + Kristen Cast
In a world where vampires have always existed, 16 year old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampire and joins the House of Night, a school where fledglings learn how to blossom and become successful once they fully Change. But all who go through the Change make it. Zoey is no average fledgling though. She has been chosen by the vampire goddess Nyx to do the things she can't. Zoey now has these weird powers on the leader of the Dark Daughters-- the elite group of fledglings-- in order to save her friends and her school.
Marked, by P.C Cast + Kristen Cast books are like drugs. You need to keep reading to satisfy your cravings to know what happens next. I have this addiction to this book, i don't know if its good addiction for reading, or its bad because i spent over $50 trying to read them all (i should have gone to the library) but this has so many good plot twists and so much drama! Along with lots of supernatural things.They are great for short reads, i could read one in a day. So be careful. Overall i think they keep dragging this series on, but the story is sooooo good
Reviewed by Emily, grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Beautiful Music For Ugly Children, by Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Beautiful Music For Ugly Children, by Kirstin Cronn-Mills revolves around a girl named Liz or shall I say a boy named Gabe. He is in his senior year and close to graduation. He has his own DJ radio show where he can actually be Gabe and be proud of who he is. He begins to embrace Gabe, as he calls it, "his B side", right after high school, and goes through hardships along with his best friend Page, his neighbor John, and his family, who have yet to come to terms with who he is.
The title alone got me interested. It's that type of book that I have never encountered before and I loved it. It showed me the bonds of friendship, the acceptance of family, and how much hatred there is in the world along with how much love that equals it. It made me think that no matter what, people will still love you for who you are. I believe this book may or may not be an eye opener for some people who have very strong opinions against transsexuals, lesbians, gays, and bi-sexuals. It may even change their views to be accepting of others. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it's amazing.
Reviewed by Anahit T., grade 12
Glendale Central Library
The title alone got me interested. It's that type of book that I have never encountered before and I loved it. It showed me the bonds of friendship, the acceptance of family, and how much hatred there is in the world along with how much love that equals it. It made me think that no matter what, people will still love you for who you are. I believe this book may or may not be an eye opener for some people who have very strong opinions against transsexuals, lesbians, gays, and bi-sexuals. It may even change their views to be accepting of others. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it's amazing.
Reviewed by Anahit T., grade 12
Glendale Central Library
Monday, July 14, 2014
Season of Secrets, by Sally Nicholls
Season of Secrets, by Sally Nicholls, is about a girl named Molly who moved to the country to live with her grandparents and sister Hannah. One night her sister Hannah wakes up and comes to her and asks to leave because the place is they live is old and boring. Molly tries to convince her not to leave but they both run off into the night and Hannah leaves her and runs home to grandparents. Molly finds a man that is being chase that says run away and be safe. She runs back to her grandparents house and the next day she sets out to find the man. When she finds him she gives him food and become friends. She finds out he has magical powers because he is able to grow a plant in his hand and transfer it to the ground. Molly also discovers that he is hiding from the Holy King who was chasing at the night she was running away. What would the future hold for Molly, her family, and the magical man?
In my opinion, this story is very dramatic. The main character Molly must find a way to move on with the way her life is going and must overcome the obstacles. The seasons in this story reflect a new beginning. In the beginning life is hard for her since she is forced to move away from her original life. I enjoyed this book because it teaches us that life has its ups and downs and we must learn to overcome the difficult times. As her life progresses she meets a magical man that gives her life hope and meaning. I really enjoyed this book because Molly's gives the life lesson to the reader to learn and accept life as it is.
Reviewed by Tiffany, grade 8
Grandview Library
In my opinion, this story is very dramatic. The main character Molly must find a way to move on with the way her life is going and must overcome the obstacles. The seasons in this story reflect a new beginning. In the beginning life is hard for her since she is forced to move away from her original life. I enjoyed this book because it teaches us that life has its ups and downs and we must learn to overcome the difficult times. As her life progresses she meets a magical man that gives her life hope and meaning. I really enjoyed this book because Molly's gives the life lesson to the reader to learn and accept life as it is.
Reviewed by Tiffany, grade 8
Grandview Library
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Choke, by Diana Lopez
Windy
is a normal eighth grade girl that becomes friends with a girl named Nina. Nina
is in the popular group, so it is a huge change for Windy to be friends with a
girl in the popular group. They soon become closer friends, but then realize
that they would like to become even closer friends. They want to be breath
sisters. To be a breath sister, the other friend has to choke you until you
slightly pass out. Then she or he has to wake you up, and you do the same to him
or her. Will Windy risk her life to be in the popular group and to become a part
of the "in" crowd? Or will she make the right choice and just stay nothing but
friends with Nina? Read this fantastic book to see what choice Windy makes.
There
were some things that I liked and some things that I didn't like about Choke, by Diana Lopez. I loved the fact that it took place in middle school, because when I was
reading it I was i middle school. As I read through the book, I realized how
relatable the book was to real life. The way some of the people acted in class
or even walking through the halls. I didn't like the fact that there was a
"popular group" that acted all snobby, because that isn't how it was in middle
school. There was always a "popular goup" but not one that was as powerful as
the one in the book. I feel like middle school kids, or ninth graders would love
to read this book, because I feel like they could all relate to some of the
situations that happened in the book. I really liked this book, and hope that
someone will like it too!
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Book 4, by Naoko Takeuchi
In Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Book 4, by Naoko Takeuchi, Ami and Usagi are in the same school and Sailor Mars goes to a private school so they do not see each other. Ami and Usagi find out there is a new girl on campus who everyone is intimidated by her because of her height and the rumor about why she switched schools, the rumor is she was kicked for fighting. But not Usagi, she does not care what the rumor says she is determined to become friends with her, and she becomes friends with her. When the Sailor Moon, Mars, Mercury, and the new girl are out they come faced with another Nega monster and they are over powered. When the new girl is caught by the monster she becomes Sailor Jupiter.
The Sailor scouts meet a new scout. She is seen as a mean looking girl but Sailor moon sees her differently and is determined to become friends with her. This gives a great life lesson. the lesson is, do not judge a person for what you hear about them, make a decision for your self. I believe the new Sailor Scout Sailor Jupiter will be a great asset to the team and make the book more interesting and fun in later books.
Reviewed by Nichole Z., grader 9
Glendale Central Library
The Sailor scouts meet a new scout. She is seen as a mean looking girl but Sailor moon sees her differently and is determined to become friends with her. This gives a great life lesson. the lesson is, do not judge a person for what you hear about them, make a decision for your self. I believe the new Sailor Scout Sailor Jupiter will be a great asset to the team and make the book more interesting and fun in later books.
Reviewed by Nichole Z., grader 9
Glendale Central Library
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