The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland

Clay and his friends live under a mountain. They were all chosen by a prophecy to end the War of Sandwing Succession. They're supposed to choose which of three princesses will inherit the Sandwing throne, but reality hasn't been going as the prophecy planned. The dragonets' guardians are harsh and won't let them go out into the dangerous world. Instead of a fierce Skywing, they have a Rainwing, supposedly the most lazy of the dragon tribes. Their Nightwing doesn't have powers, their Sandwing looks odd, and all five dragonets keep trying to escape.

This has been my favorite book series since I was in third grade. In case you couldn't tell from my summary, it's about dragons. There are currently fourteen books in the series, plus four graphic novels and two prequels. Despite them being dragons, the characters feel so real and alive. It has some comedy and plenty of action. It's kind of violent. This book is aimed most at middle school reading levels, but it's a great story even for older people. I love Wings of Fire and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes dragons.

Reviewed by Izzy Jackson, Grade 8

Glendale Central Library

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Shadows in Flight by Orson Scott Card

Shadows in Flight is the fifth book in the shadow series of the Ender saga. Julian Delphiki, A.K.A Bean resolves his previous conflicts at the end of the last book. Because his children inherited the engineered genes that Bean has, they are incredibly smart at the expense of a 20-year lifespan. They are sent to live on a ship that undergoes time dilation, with which the passengers of their ship experience time much more slowly than normal, giving Earth hundreds of years to come up with a cure for their disease. After unsuccessful efforts over multiple centuries of real-time, the new subspecies of humans dubbed as "homo leguminesis" must look to the vast expanse of space to create lives for themselves. In the process of searching for a new shelter for themselves, the family discovers a secret that would change the course of human history.

Just like all of the other books of the Ender saga thus far, I very much enjoyed Shadows in Flight. After the events of the previous book, I absolutely had to see what was in store next for Bean. I love the dynamic the "half-family" has with each other, all of them being geniuses. As their search for a new home advances, Card builds up an overarching story with finesse. Being left with many questions at the end of the main Ender series, I loved that Card connected the events of the Ender series to those of the Shadow series. The story is extremely intriguing. The only downside to this book is that it isn't long enough--it's quite short in relation to the other novels in the saga. Nonetheless, I highly recommend any fan of Ender's Game or science fiction in general to read this book (after reading all of the previous books of course!).

Reviewed by M.A., Grade 10

Montrose Library

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to The Hunger Games. It follows Coriolanus Snow, a young adult living in the Capitol. He is chosen to mentor a tribute in the tenth Hunger Games and if he can manage to mentor the winning tribute, he'll hopefully get enough money as a prize to pay for university. If his tribute loses, the Snows will lose their reputation as a rich and powerful family, one that they kept despite losing most of their money to the war. When Coriolanus is assigned the girl from District Twelve, he's sure that they're both doomed.

I really liked this book, but I would recommend that you read the other books in the series first. It's very suspenseful, and there are multiple twists. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is also a long book, 517 pages. Something that interested me was that the main character, Coriolanus Snow, is the villain in the first three books of The Hunger Games. It focuses on different philosophies about human nature, specifically the philosophies of Hobbes, Lock, and Rousseau. Before you read this, you should know that it's pretty violent. I think that The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a great book.

Reviewed by Izzy Jackson, Grade 8

Glendale Central Library

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Addie was told to never pray to the gods that answer after dark...Beginning in France in the 1700s, Addaline is forced to marry a man whom she does not know. Aware that after the marriage she will not be free and unable to leave her tiny village, she attempts to make a bargain to fight the oppression. Only... she makes it with the gods who answer after dark, the very ones she was warned about. The god twists Addie's words and gives her an infinite life, however, everyone she encounters will forget who she is and her name. For three hundred years, this curse has worked, putting Addie through despair, until... Until one day in New York, 2014, a boy remembers her and her name, leaving Addie in shock. The adventure that follows is Addie attempting to understand how the boy has the ability to remember her and what went wrong with the curse.

This book is one of the very rare life-changing books you will read. Such wonderfully written, the author used the most amazing vocabulary and figurative language. The entire book was filled with so many unbelievable plot twists that made me tear up several times. I appreciated how philosophical the story was and the lessons that Addie and Henrey learn throughout her ever so fascinating journey. Overall, this book is a MUST read and just so lovely and impactful!

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Reviewed by L.T., Grade 8

Glendale Central Library

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables is about a young girl named Anne Shirley who is sent to Green Gables Prince Edward Island in the 19th century to be adopted. Her parents passed away when she was really little, leaving her with no memory of them. She lived with many other different families but nobody wanted to keep her. On the other hand, brother and sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert of Green Gables, which is on Prince Edward Island, are getting old, so they are looking for a boy around 11 years old to help Matthew with his work around the farm. However, due to a mix up, instead of getting the boy that they wanted, they get Anne. She has to try to convince Marilla and Matthew to let her stay with them and to prove that getting her instead of a boy was not the mistake that they thought. Anne wants the opportunity to make a new and permanent life at Green Gables. She is looking for a family to be a part of, and maybe even a bosom friend.

This is a very fun book, with many adventures that are part of small-town farm life in the 1870s, and you get to see how Anne develops as a young lady. I think she is very sassy and spunky, and she has a big imagination. Although these traits do get her into a lot of trouble, she is very likable, too. She is also very loyal, and I think she would make a great friend. I’m sure it would have been very hard for her to go from home to home at such a young age and not be wanted, and I think this is a sad part of the story. However, Anne somehow keeps an optimistic outlook on life, and she doesn’t give up. It was fun to see Anne’s red-headed temper flare up so quickly but she’s always willing to admit her mistakes and to learn from them. This book is the first book in a series, and I enjoyed each and every one.

Reviewed by Hope C, Grade 5

Glendale Central Library

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StarTalk by Charles Liu and Neil degrasse Tyson

StarTalk by Charles Liu and Neil deGrasse Tyson is a very informative and interesting book about the universe, galaxies, planets, living things, and questions we all want to find out more about. It uses basic chemistry, physics, math, and logic to counter and explain ideas and problems. It has chapters that cover topics like other dimensions, gravity, living things, possible reasons of how we came to be or why, movie theories, and if they would be possible with science.

I found this book to be well-written, fun, and interesting to read. I liked how it involved physics to explain most concepts and ideas. It had small funny captions to keep you interested. I would get bored at some points because I wasn't interested. If you want to understand the science concepts, make sure you pay attention in physics and biology class to understand. I recommend it to anyone who loves extraterrestrial studies and wants to learn many more new facts.

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Reviewed by anonymous, Grade 10

Pacific Park Library

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

This story is about Cornelia, or Corrie ten Boom, and her family, the ten Booms. They are a Christian family living in Holland during WWII. They own and operate watch/clock making and repair shop. However, the Nazis have taken over much of Europe, including Holland, and they have begun to send Jewish people into concentration camps or even to execute them. Although they are not Jewish and although it is illegal to do so, Corrie and her family begin to take in Jews who come to their door for help and safety. This is a big risk because the Nazis come after the people that work in the underground, who are people like the ten Booms who help the Jews. This is because their Christian beliefs tell them to love others and help people in need. Working with other family members and people in the underground, they hide Jews using secret rooms, and using their contacts to get what they need. They also practice hiding in case someone comes, so it looks like no one else is there. They also use special codes that sound like they're just talking about work when people call.

 The Hiding Place is a good book that I think a lot of people would enjoy reading. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in history, or about ages 11 and up because it deals with difficult subject matter such as war and concentration camps. I liked that it showed the close relationship between Corrie and her sister Betsie and how they rely on each other and their faith through challenging situations. I didn’t like that there were a lot of sad or scary parts, such as them not having any contacts with their family members and not knowing what is happening, as they are sent to concentration camps when they were discovered harboring Jews. However, it did keep me interested by having a cliffhanger each time I stopped. This book surprised me because the ten Booms had such a strong faith, even though they helped the Jews which could cost them their lives.

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Reviewed by Hope C, Grade 5

Glendale Central Library 

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Malcolm X

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley is a book about the life of a religious and civil rights activist, who fought for equality and no discrimination between people of different skin tones. During his childhood, he loses his dad to violence, and his mom experiences mental health issues where she is placed in a hospital. He and his siblings are separated. Malcolm then invests in drugs and acts of robbery. Later on, when Malcolm is arrested and sent to prison, he takes advantage of the library and improves his knowledge. He learns about Elijah Muhammad, Islam, and decides to convert. They start their own service and teach African Americans living in the U.S. to convert to Islam. Soon, everyone learns about Elijah Muhammad’s affairs which become public. This causes Malcolm X to leave the nation of Islam and stop working with Elijah Muhammad. Later on, Malcolm X is assassinated on February 21, 1965, at Audubon Ballroom.

Autobiographies are always interesting and very informative to read about. This book is very outstanding in the way it presents an African American point of view of living in the United States in the 1900s. Malcolm X's autobiography provides great detail and knowledge to those interested in learning about how discrimination and challenges in a person's life can affect their future. It is very impressive how Malcolm X proceeds and lives on to become an important figure in his adult life especially having gone through so many hardships as a child. It is not a very colorful and bright book for a fun read. It dives deep into relationships between siblings, friends, and elders that change his life. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about African Americans' lives in the United States and enjoys thought-provoking topics like racism, hustling, activism, and basic human rights.

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Reviewed by anonymous, grade 10

Pacific Park Library

 

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl

Beatrice and her four friends are driving to a place to hang out, but they get into a crash. They appear fine the next day, or what should be the next day, in an estranged house. They're told that they have entered the "Neverworld Wake" which is a time period where it repeats the same "wake" over and over again. In order to escape the wake, they have to vote for someone at the end of each wake to live, while the others will die. They use this as an opportunity to try new things they haven't discovered yet, and most importantly, find out the truth of the death of their sixth friend, or Beatrice's boyfriend.

This book was definitely interesting to read. There were several concepts which were confusing to me, but aside from that it was definitely a page-turning book. You don't know who to suspect and who is telling the truth. There were several plot twists, which were both good and bad. At certain times, the author snuck in some humorous parts, which let go some of the burning tension you feel when reading. My only problem is the characters, while very different, felt a bit stereotypical. Overall, I think a good portion of teens who like mystery and thriller would enjoy this book.

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Reviewed by Julie S., Grade 9

Glendale Central Library

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

The book is based off of Romeo and Juliet, and is set in Shanghai, China in the 1920s. The book is written in third person, so it follows multiple people, like Juliette, Roma, or even Kathleen. Juliet is the heir of the Scarlet gang and Roma is the heir of the White Roses gang. There is a blood feud that had been going on for centuries, but Roma and Juliette had fallen in love anyways, at least until Roma betrayed Juliette. Juliette was shipped off to the U.S and then comes back to China after a couple of years. The story begins there. There was a plague going on that was killing people from both gangs, and Roma and Juliette had to work together to find out what it was.

I really loved this book, because I had been reading multiple series, but since this was a stand-alone, it was much shorter. There were a lot of plot twists, and it actually made me think about who did what and why, and when I finally thought I got it right, it proved otherwise. Anyone who likes reading about gangs would love this book. I would recommend this to people who like to read young adult books because it is the perfect stand-alone. I really look up to the author, Chloe Gong, because she was only 19 when she published it, and as an aspiring author, it really is impressive.

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Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 8

Casa Verdugo Library 

The Trials of Koli by M.R. Carey

Koli's exile from his town of Mythen Rood has led to danger and adventure. When he learned that the Ramparts, the protectors of Mythen Rood, were in a conspiracy to keep the power of technology to themselves, they cast him out into the lethal forest. But against all odds, he survived. Now, he's looking for long-lost London - a mythical city with ancient tech that could help save the future of humanity. Meanwhile, Mythen Rood is being besieged by disease. Spinner, Koli's childhood friend, must find out a way to save the town and its residents from certain death.

This novel was a great continuation of The Book of Koli. It was well-written and built further on the world Carey created in the first book. The story was intriguing, as were the settings, and the characters showed growth and were not static and boring. The addition of Spinner's perspective was also interesting and made the book feel more complete - as it showed what was happening back at Mythen Rood. Carey created a novel that expanded on the world of the original story, and I really enjoyed reading it. I would definitely recommend this book.

Reviewed by N.K., Grade 11

Montrose Library 

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels

This book is about communism and socialism. It talks about class struggles that the proletariat (exploited) experiences from the bourgeoise (exploiters). As you read the book Marx uses these terms interchangeably. He discusses about the exploitations of the proletariat in a bourgeois society. He mentions how the serf and handicraftsman will eventually also become the proletariat. How this working class's lively hood will be crushed as they all become wage laborers. It discusses the steps in what we must do to move to a communist society. It also talks about how one country cannot overturn capitalism and that we need more countries to succeed. He never mentioned how to achieve these goals (unlike Lenin who pushed for revolution).

I think it's a wonderful book for those who are leftists. The issue is it is difficult to understand. I had to read the book twice to fully grasp the concept. Marx also loved to make new words up which is why I don't recommend the actual 37 page manifesto. I think it's still very relevant to this day. As the wage gap increases and the rich get richer while the poor get poorer. There is no such thing as ethical capitalism as the capitalists all exploit their workers and the planet to get rich. I think baby leftists who already understand some theory would like this book. It isn't a good book for liberals who want to radicalize as it's confusing. I instead recommend reading Angela Davis and Michael Parenti books before you read the Manifesto. They are easier to understand and gives material context to what theory actually is.

Reviewed by anonymous, Grade 11

Glendale Central Library 

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Jason Dessen lives a hard, but fulfilling life. Fifteen years ago, he gave up the chance at a massive science grant to stay with his wife and unborn child. Although things have been tough, he doesn't regret a thing. One night, he's abducted and drugged. When he wakes, he's greeted warmly by a man he's never seen before. He is in a world where everything he's known is gone. His wife is not his wife, and his son doesn't exist. So what is real and what is not? Did the last fifteen years of his life even happen? And how can he get back to his family?

This book was amazing. It was one of those novels that you can't put down. The story was thrilling and terrifying. The author did a great job at portraying Jason's feelings to the audience - from his confusion and disorientation to his drive to get back to his family. The novel was gripping and kept me on the edge of my seat. The ideas discussed were very interesting and thought-provoking. Honestly, this might be the best thriller that I have ever read. I would definitely recommend this to people looking for an intense read.

Reviewed by NK, Grade 11

Montrose Library

The Adventure of the Peculiar Protocols by Nicholas Meyer

John Watson's private journal has been discovered - and in it is another tale of the great Sherlock Holmes. In 1905, a woman washes up on the bank of the Thames River. She is a member of the British Secret Service, and in her hands, she clutches papers that speak of a conspiracy to take over the world. Holmes and Watson are asked to help British intelligence find out where the documents came from and what they imply. From England to Russia, Holmes and Watson must race against mysterious opponents to uncover this conspiracy.

I liked reading this book. It was very reminiscent of the original Sherlock Holmes novels, and it continued them almost flawlessly. The story was intense and thrilling, and the descriptions the author used really contributed to making the 20th-century settings seem realistic and interesting. Overall, I thought this was a good book, but it didn't have some of the "kick" that the original novels do. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book, especially to enjoyers of Doyle's original Sherlock.

Reviewed by NK, Grade 11

Montrose Library

The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey

Centuries in the future, the human race is all but extinct. They survive in small populations, fighting against nature to survive. The town of Mythen Rood is one such safe haven. Outside its walls is the forest, made up of lethal flora and populated with vicious creatures. The townspeople are protected by Ramparts - people with the power to wake and utilize ancient technology. Koli has lived in Mythen Rood all his life, and has always been told that to venture into the forest is certain death. But when he finds an incredible secret about the Ramparts and their technology, he must face the forest with all the courage he can muster.

I actually really enjoyed this novel. It was well written, and the atmosphere was incredible. The book is written as if Koli is telling the reader the story firsthand, and I really enjoyed how it flowed. The world building was great, emphasizing the Middle-Age lifestyles of the townspeople, and society having to deal with the repercussions of their ancestors' actions. I would definitely recommend this to anybody who enjoys reading post-apocalyptic fiction, or coming-of-age stories. 

Reviewed by NK, Grade 11

Montrose Library

A List of Cages by Robin Roe

A List of Cages revolves around two friends, Adam Blake, a high school senior, and Julian, a freshman. Adam and Julian have been childhood friends and after Julian's parents' death, foster siblings. However, after Julian is taken into custody by his uncle, the two drifted apart until high school. Adam took an elective that made him the assistant of the school psychologist and found that Julian was skipping his appointments with the psychologist. The two friends are polar opposites. Adam being optimistic and upbeat all the time throughout the novel while Julian was the more withdrawn and quiet one. As Adam tries to reminisce and reunite with Julian, it seems that Julian has become even more withdrawn and afraid. Adam tries to find out why whilst Julian avoids telling truth to anyone.

I was honestly surprised by how heart tugging this book was. For some this can be very triggering to read because of parental neglect and abuse themes. This was also, for the first time, a book I read that did not a have a romance focused or driven plot. Yes, Adam does try to get with his crush but the story does not focus on it. Adam and Julian's friendship feels very much realistic and you can feel sympathy for both of them with how bad their situations are, especially Julian who is constantly paranoid and afraid, looked down upon by his teachers and unstable uncle. If there were any criticisms, really only nitpicks, it would be characters not getting enough spotlight and the ending. Adam's friends do not really get enough time to develop as characters, given they are supporting characters, and it seems very rushed during the parts Adam was inviting Julian to come with him and his friends. The friends as well were very stereotypical "High school" teenagers except Charlie, his best friend. 

The ending was underwhelming and felt more like the "bandage" than a "cure or solution to the problem" ending. For those who are not triggered by abusive behaviors and acts, this is a must read and I believe one of the most underrated books I have ever read in my life. Robin Roe was not glorifying the acts done in this book compared to some moreover trying to shed light in the very flawed foster system. A quick read and a book I can easily recommend to anyone and a great message on how family is more about true bonds you make with people rather than blood relations. 

Reviewed by Rafi, Grade 10

Glendale Central Library

Vicious by V.E. Schwab

Victor and Eli are college roommates. Both men come from troubled backgrounds, and they recognize a dark brilliance and ambition in one another. When it comes time to state their research thesis for their science seminar, Victor chooses to talk about adrenaline and its effects on the human body. Eli decides to do his thesis on the existence of EOs, or "ExtraOrdinaries" - people with supposed supernatural powers. When their research into the skeptical world of EOs, adrenaline, and near-death experiences start to result in actual progress, Victor decides to take it one step further - to try and emulate the process by which an EO is created - and everything goes horrifyingly wrong.

I loved reading this novel. It was written extremely well and had a dark, somewhat uncomfortable undertone. The tense style of writing made for a great, thrilling read. The characters were written very well, and everything in the novel was easy to visualize. Schwab did an amazing job at discussing the ambiguity of morality and explored decidedly unrealistic themes with a gritty, realistic story. Overall, this was a great book, and possibly could be one of my favorites. I highly recommend others to read this novel, especially if they like dark stories with an antihero and a morally gray cast of characters.

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Reviewed by NK, Grade 11

Montrose Library 

 

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Jessie is a 16-year-old girl, who lost her mother and didn’t know how to challenge her loneliness. Her dad meets a new woman on the Internet, who then becomes his wife. Jessie is forced to move to LA with his dad where his rich wife lives. During her first days of junior year in a private school, Jessie doesn’t seem to be able to find her place among those rich kids. That’s when Somebody/Nobody (SN for short) enters, trying to help her settle and find friends. But he does this all through anonymous messaging. He tells her about all the drama of Wood Valley High School and doesn’t reveal himself. Jessie is really curious who SN is and tries to figure out herself, while learning all the previous drama of WVHS and becoming a part of it.

The book is thrilling and funny. It’s romantic and mysterious at the same time. I really couldn’t put the book down until I was done reading and found out SN’s identity. Jessie convinces herself that SN was Caleb, the guy whose existence I find unnecessary. She turns out wrong, though. I am not going to tell you SN’s real identity but it was the guy I was hoping to be while reading. The relief I felt is indescribable. I would recommend the book to those who like teen drama and romance.

Review by Anna Baghdasaryan, Grade 11

Glendale Central Library