Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas

In The Throne of Glass, by Sarah J. Maas, Celaena Sardothien is the kingdom of Adarlan's most notorious assassin. She's been a slave in the cruel salt mines of Endovier for over a year, where the average life expectancy is one month. She's been sentenced to die in there and knows escape is impossible, even for her. Then one day The Crown Prince of Adarlan, Dorian Havilliard, makes her an offer for her freedom which she knows she can't refuse. If Celaena will be Dorian's Champion in his fathers competition to find a champion of his own, and she wins, she will be granted her freedom after four years of service to the king. Along the way Celaena experiences everything from romance to genuinely fearing for her own life. I absolutely adored The Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. My absolute favorite part of the entire book was that the entire story is center around a strong, deadly, and beautiful female character. This book is definitely different from anything else out there right now and I really loved it. Celaena Sardothien probably one of my favorite characters of all time. She's so strong and unique. Even though women have come a long way in past few years in terms of equality, there is still a long way to go. I think society as a whole really needs this book. Anyone who believes in equality and loves a good action novel will absolutely love this book. Reviewed by Lucy H., Grade 9 Montrose Library

Son, by Lois Lowry

Claire is a 14 year old girl living in a utopian society. Everyone is given a job at the age of 12, based on their interests, and Claire was given the job of a birthmother. Now she is having her first child known as a product but something goes wrong during the procedure. Claire knows nothing other then the fact that unlike the other birthmothers, her product was carved from her stomach. She is moved to the fish hatchery because she is told that her body did not function properly for a birthmother. Over the months,Claire secretly visits her son at the Birthing Center, and soon finds out that he is not ready to be put in a family and might even be released. After hearing this tragic news, her son is kidnapped and taken over the riverbank. Now Claire sets out on a mission to lands beyond her community in order to find her missing son. She is willing to do anything it takes to find him.

I believe Son, by Lois Lowry, was a great ending to the book The Giver.Both the Giver and Son, take place in the same community but are written in different peoples point of view. I found it very interesting how characters from the first book appeared in the last book. I mostly love the main character, Claire because unlike everyone else in the community, she is different because she cares about the son she bore. For years, she struggles and works hard just to see her son again. I believe people who like science fiction and adventure will love this book. It was a great finale to the series.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

The List, by Siobhan Vivian

The List, by Siobhan Vivian, follows the eight girls on the list, the four prettiest and the four ugliest girls at Mount Washington High School. The list is posted every year on the last Monday of September and although no one knows who makes the list, its authenticity is certified by a stolen embossing stamp of Mount Washington. The story follows all eight girls as they experience the consequences of being on the list. The ugliest girls face humiliation, cruelty, and pity but what the prettiest face is almost worse. This is because although it’s horrible to be declared ugly, when you’re declared prettier than everyone else, everyone else tends to become jealous and angry. All the girls experience a rollercoaster ride after the list is posted and learn a lesson or two along the way.

In my opinion, this was a pretty good book. I enjoyed how it experimented with the idea of being “pretty” and how society treats people based on appearance. I also liked that the author showed the effects of the list from all eight sides. I think it gave the story a much for interesting take because of all of the conflicting opinions on the list and being “pretty”. However I did think that the plot was a bit lacking because it took place over only one week, the book could’ve been much better if the author expanded the plot more and made it a little more complex and interesting. I think this book would be enjoyed by anyone looking for a new, interesting take on society and how people are often judged based on appearance.

Reviewed by Lucy H., Grade 9

Montrose Library

Little Woman, by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, is about four sisters, Meg, Beth, Jo, and Amy who are all dealing with the hardships of love, sickness, and growing up in New England during the Civil War. The girls have various hopes and dreams, marriage, and finding their own path in life.

This is a true American classic for all readers to enjoy. The novel makes you realize that no matter which century you live in, we all have hopes and dreams just like everybody else. We all have goals that we want to accomplish and that's okay. And even though life can have hardships and battles to go through, you always have to have hope and never give up.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library

Starcrossed, by Josephine Angelini

In this book, Starcrossed, by Josephine Angelini, tells the story about a girl named Helen Hamilton who one day finds out that she is not a normal sixteen year old at all. She has strange powers that makes her question everything she has ever known. Out of nowhere, she discovers that she is very powerful and can also fly. She meets a family that helps her and she soon makes a lot of new friends that also have powers like her.

I thought that this was a really good read because it was filled with magic and adventure. It was really hard putting down this book. The author really described the setting really well and it felt like you were actually there along with the main characters. Anyone who likes greek mythology might also enjoy this book because it talks a lot about the greek gods and their powers.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library

The Infinite Moment of Us, by Lauren Myracle

The Infinite Moment of Us, by Lauren Myracle,  is about Wren and Charlie's first love during the summer after they graduated high school. Charlie has always found Wren beautiful and admired her from a distance, and soon Wren begins to reciprocate his feelings. Wren learns to stand up for herself from Charlie and gains the courage to tell her parents that she does not want to attend Emory, a prestigious university in Atlanta. Charlie learns what true love is all about.

Overall, this book was very cute. The characters were lovable and their feelings for each other seemed real. The writing was fluid and easygoing, and there was a lot of humor. At times, however, the book became tedious and I just wanted to finish it. I would give this book a 7 out of 10 and would recommend it to teenage girls who enjoy cute, romantic novels.

Reviewed by Rebecca S., Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

A Need So Beautiful, by Suzanne Young

In the book, A Need So Beautiful, by Suzanne Young, tells a story about a girl who has a really special power. She can help several people feel better. She is like a seer and she makes a lot of people feel happy and good about themselves.She enjoys helping them because it's a really nice feeling for her, but this power comes with a price. Those who she helps soon forget about her because she is not meant to be remembered. Her only purpose in life is to help those in need.

I thought this was a good read because it had a good message in it. It talked about appreciating the life you live and how it's really important to help people that need it. Because that is one of the most important things in the world. It doesn't matter if you're famous or not, because as long as your family loves you, that is all that matters.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12

Glendale Central Library

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson

This is a classic tale about Jim Hawkins and his search for treasure after finding a pirate treasure map. Mutiny, pirates, and deception are all that Jim finds on the island, and a stranded crazed man named Ben Gunn who has found the treasure and hidden it in a cave.

I thought Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson, was filled with a lot of adventure. I like that it was about someone that wants to hunt but learns that after murder, and death, that wealth and adventure is not always worth the risks. He is happy to get back to the life he had before that was plain and simple. It's good to go on some adventures, but it's also good to just relax and lead a simple life.

Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library