The Hate U Give By: Angie Thomas ( Explicit Content )

Amazon.com

When racism is disguised by fear and hidden behind rumors innocent people suffer for it. One of those being Starr Carter's best friend Khalil. Starr lives a double life going from Garden Heights Starr to Williamson Starr everyday. But, when Khalil is wrongly murdered by officer One-Fifteen in front of her eyes her two worlds collide. Smashing into each other with enough force to shake the nation. Starr must choose to speak out against the brutality she has seen or be silent and stay safe. She has to choose whether or not to fight.

Police Brutality is alive today and Angie Thomas does an incredible job in highlighting the flaws and bias in our legal system. She shows an outstanding first person story of what affect crimes like this can have on the people. This is a thrilling story made to pull at the heartstrings. In gives readers a bitter-sweet taste of reality. Although many will try to silence those fighting against oppression there will always be those ready to use their voice as a weapon, and fight back. ( 20/10 stars ) 

Code of Honor By: Alan Gratz

Amazon.com

2 brothers closer than you could imagine. They know everything about one and other too the smallest minute detail. At least they thought they did. Kamran thought he could trust Darius. Until the News Feed came. How could this happen? His brother, his Army Ranger brother, a terrorist. It just wasn't possible. Deep down he knew that it couldn't be true, but how can he prove it. He knew how, and it was farfetched, insane even. A code made so long ago; a code between brothers. Their code of honor. If Darius was still true, maybe just maybe, he could bring him back. Now he just has to convince the US government.

Code of Honor has the perfect blend of heartfelt family, societal issues, and military drama. The exciting twist and turns keep readers hooked. Award winning author Alan Gratz brings about a new perspective on your everyday Armed Forces adventure.

Salt to the Sea by: Ruta Sepetys

Amazon.com

A heart wrenching tale of a group of misfits daring escapades during World War 2. Fighting hunger, wounds, language barriers, and persistent russian attacks each wonderful character has his or her own motives. Only one thing brings them all together, passage aboard the Gustloff. Evacuation may be their only chance at survival. Having already braved such hardships the Wilhelm Gustloff appears to be a light shining gallantly through the darkness. Unbeknownst to them this beacon of hope will turn into one of history's greatest maritime disasters. Wills will be tested, friendships strained, alliances broken, and once again death will strike a mighty blow upon his victims.

Ruta Sepetys is a world renowned historical fiction author who is not afraid to show the true horrors of history. Time and time again she has brought the hidden past to light in gruesome yet glorious displays, Salt to the Sea lives of to her fantastic legacy in more ways then one. She wields words like an artist with a paint brush. The scenery and events play like films for all readers. It is with no doubt I can say that any who read this book will find either a lesson to be learned, a thought to be pondered, or a life to be cherished. It is with that I push you, dear reader, to find yourself lost in the pages of this magnificent novel, and simultaneously get lost in time. 

What Waits in the Woods By: Kieran Scott

What Waits in the Woods on Amazon

Jeremy, Penelope, Lissa, and Callie all venture into the woods. 4 nights, that's all it should be, then Callie will be home. Shopping in New York, with her mom. 4 nights in the woods, how bad can that be? She tries her best to stay positive but a mysterious laughing man, ghost stories, and a tumble of a bridge begin to shake her confidence. Lost and drenched the groups seeks refuge with a new comer, Ted. With friendships and relationships dwindling they follow their new guide skeptical, but trusting in their time of need. Foundations begin to shake when  it seems that an outside force is threatening their lives. What will it take to survive in the woods? Who will have strength to survive? Hidden secrets and lies may be the end of our protagonist. We may not want to know what waits in the woods...

The classic horror story for all those who absolutely love them. Filled with a wilderness adventure, lore like no other, and an exciting plot twist that will leave you on the edge of your seat. While I may not have loved this book, mostly because i'm not into horror, I just know you guys out there with an eye for the spooky sides of things will devour this new novel with a passion. 

Highly Illogical Behavior By: John Corey Whaley

Highly Illogical Behavior on Amazon.com

  16 year old Solomon hasn't left his house since the 7th grade. His condition is widely referred to as agoraphobia, the fear of going outdoors. In Solomon, like most cases, it developed from a panic disorder. He's carried this all his life, and in 7th grade he climbed in a fountain and decided he was fed up with it. He hasn't left his house in almost 4 years, and he's fine with it.

Lisa on the other hand is not. Ambitious High School Senior Lisa has her sights set on a future in psychology. But, to get into her future school she needs a project that sets her apart from the other applicants. This project being Solomon. She will go to any means to, "fix" Solomon and introduce him back into the real world. Through time Solomon, Lisa, and her boyfriend Clark all become insanely close, maybe too close? When jealousy and confusion strikes, tragedy threatens to pull the new found friendship apart. Will Solomon finally be able to rejoin the world, or will Lisa's attempts at help leave him damaged far worse than before.

Filled to the brim with a lovable cast of characters, everyone can find somebody to connect with in John Corey Whaley's novel exploring the interesting world of an Agoraphobic teenager. This book is nothing short of a masterpiece. Highlighting an interesting viewpoint on the complex and ever changing world of the American teenager, it leaves you breathless. 5/5 stars to John Corey Whaley's accurate representation of the fears of coming of age and growing up, all while dealing with the day to day pressures of the world.

All Fall Down By: Ally Carter

All Fall Down on Amazon

The first book in the thrilling Embassy Row trilogy focuses on the return of Grace Blakely to Adria, home of Embassy Row. Grace is not crazy, despite popular opinion. Her mother was murdered, it wasn't an accident. The scarred man killed her, and now he's going to kill again. Grace pulls out all the stops to discover the Scarred Man's conniving intentions toward some important employee on Embassy Row. With the help of Noah the classic boy next door and official best friend, Megan the tech wiz, Rosie the acrobat, and Alexie her brother best friend since forever, she plans to foil the plots of the Scarred Man. But with secrets better left untold hiding in the shadows, danger lurks beyond ever cornor for our slightly insane protagonist. A past of loss, and a future not yet foreseen, what lies a head may be the downfall of Grace Blakely once and for all.

Full of colorful twist and turns All Fall Down is a classic government adventure novel. With a plot that engulfs the reader into a world full of corrupt politicians and unlikely alliances, you'll never want to put it down. Ally Carter does it again with this wonderful new edition, that is at home in any teen readers bookshelf.

The Honest Truth By: Dan Geminhart

The Honest Truth on Amazon

The mountain was calling him, he had to run away, he had to.
Mark has cancer, he's dying and he knows it. Tired of the coddling, the sad smiles, the looks that are already grieving. He can't do it anymore, won't do it anymore. It's been on off for seven years. Seven years since the phone call that made his mother cry, seven years of treatments and doctors and headaches. He thought he was getting better, for awhile it was clear. But it came back again, and this time hes not sticking around. Armed with the will of a thousand, a backpack, 100$, and his faithful dog Beau. He's going to climb the mountain, even if it kills him

Jess's best friend has disappeared. She knows why he left, but she can't tell. They keep each other's secrets. You don't share secrets. She wants to help him, but doesn't know how to. She could tell the cops, they'd bring him home and he'd be safe. Or she doesn't say anything he can live his dream, or die trying. As the storm gets thicker, so does her dilemma.

The Honest Truth is one of those books that pulls at the heart strings while keeping you on the edge of your seat. A neat new perspective from the eyes of a young boy battling Cancer. Dan Gemeinhart gave an interesting twist to the story by showing both the point of view of Mark and Jess. An excellent quick read for those of us wanting to taste the bittersweet side of life. 

Need by: Joelle Charbonneau

NerdProblems

This book falls into the category of realistic fiction and a bit of romance.


“No one gets something for nothing. We all should know better.”


At Wisconsin's Nottawa High School, there is a new . . . trend, you could say, going around. This is not just any "trend" though. This one can very well end with death, yet does anyone particularly care? Not really. Ask for anything that you can imagine, money, a car, a house . . . a gun. Need can get whatever you desire for a price, of course. All you have to do is complete a task and take a picture of it. Whether the task be break into someone's house or even kill someone, the task must be completed.


As this new trend rises, so does the body count.


What I liked about this book is that it gives you a lot of reasons to suspect a lot of different people so that it wasn't all that easy to figure out who was running the site.


I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Just a Drop of Water by Kerry O'Malley Cerra

Image from Amazon.com

Jake Green is struggling with every-day middle school troubles. He's annoyed that he's not the cross-country team captain, mad that a new addition to the team gets that spot, and even more angry when his old friends start welcoming the new guy who stole his spot.

Then September 11th happens, and his whole world is changed. His best friend Sam-- a Muslim American-- is suddenly distant and suspicious as the community begins to suspect his family had something to do with the attacks. Sam's mother is paranoid and moody and suddenly seems to not trust her son. Sam's father is still traveling, even in the aftermath of the attacks. And Bobby-- the school bully-- is worse than ever. He's even starting to become physically violent. How will Jake cope in a world where everything seems stacked against him?

If the reader can stick it through the build up of the first 30 or so pages, the book definitely hooks you as the events unfold. After reading the teaser, I knew the book would be about 9/11, and I think I was just anxious to get to that part in the book-- this made the beginning feel a bit slow. Though the book is slow at first, I really liked the point of view that this books shares. Jake's post-9/11 fears and anger will really strike a chord with adult readers who remember the experience, and it will do a great job informing younger readers about the true effects of that day on average American citizens. It also gives a timely warning of what happens when we allow our choices to be tainted with prejudice and unfounded fears.

 I'd give this book a 4/5 stars!

Les Misérables By: Victor Hugo

Amazon.com

France, 1789-1799. This is the period of the revolution.
During this time Jean ValJean was condemned to 5 years of hard time.  For multiple attempts at escape he ends up serving 15-20 years. He escapes around year 18 and 19. Once escaping he flees into the countryside. Only to be rejected by all he asks for help. He searches for days tired a weary he come to the house of the bishop. The Bishop shows poor Jean ValJean hospitality and kindness. The experiences Jean has change his outlook on life.

After he leaves the Bishop's house he swears to be a good man for the rest of his days. And acting upon his vow he becomes the  mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer. He is a good man who helps all people and when he sees that a women has been through great hardships in his name he is devastated. He wants to help poor Fantine and that he does he saves her from the ruthless Javert who is always tracking and pursuing Jean ValJean.  He lets her live in his home and tends to her every need. He even saves her poor child Cosette from the ruthless Therniaders. But alas at the sight of seeing Javert again kills Fantine (who never saw her child again). Jean ValJean and Cosette are sent into a world of down spinning doom. A life of hiding and a life of hope. They lead their live the best they can while running from Javert. But there can be no happiness for them. For how can they be happy when after all they are The Miserables.

Les Misérables is a wonderfully written book. It's language and imagery is astounding. The way it pulls at every heart string is truly incredible. The reader feels the pain and misery, but also the love the characters feel. Victor Hugo is a true literary genius. A quote I particularly like in this book is in the dedication it states the following; "... in other words, and with a still wider significance, so long as ignorance and poverty exist on earth, books of the nature of Les Misérables cannot fail to be of use." -Hauteville House 1862

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe By: Benjamin Alire Saenz

Amazon.com

Aristotle doesn't like boys, he never has. He feels that they are mysteries, ones that he can't solve. Most of the time he doesn't even want to be a boy. Someday he thinks he will be a man and understand the world, but how he will get there, he doesn't know. His parents never speak of his brother, he's been in prison ever since Aristotle was small. They won't speak of his brother, his father won't speak of the war, nobody talks about anything, especially Aristotle. He was born knowing how to hide his feelings, he's good at it. Until he meets Dante. Aristotle has never meet a boy like Dante. Dante isn't afraid to be who he is, and with Dante, Aristotle learns to accept himself. Aristotle doesn't understand how he feels about Dante, he doesn't understand why Dante makes him feel this way. Aristotle doesn't realize it yet, but he loves Dante, he just doesn't know why. Or how?

This has been and will always be one of my favorite books. I have never before felt such a deep and personal connection with a character. The way Aristotle grew throughout the book physically, mentally, and emotionally depicted what most kids go through during this part in their lives. How he grew from being a confused lost young boy to a strong man was inspirational. The connection him and Dante shared was beautiful. They complemented and offset each other, they helped each other grow and develop. Something I have learned from this book is that we all have a little Aristotle and a little Dante in all of us. We just need a partner to help us find it

5/5 stars.

Don't Look Back by Jennifer Armentrout

www.notyetread.com

This book is mainly realistic fiction, or it could be placed in the mystery genre. It is also a 2016-2017 Gateway Nominee book.

Samantha doesn't remember. She doesn't remember her birthday. She doesn't remember her mother, her
father. She doesn't remember that she had a boyfriend.

She doesn't remember who killed her best friend.

As if she didn't have enough problems, Sam doesn't want her old life back. Everything about the old her simply disgusts her now. How could she have been that person? She was the typical mean rich girl of her school. Everybody hates her, feared her, yet people act like they are happy to see her back. What exactly did she do to make everyone fear her? Not only that, but she seems to be developing feelings for Carson, the 'help,' when she supposedly despised him before all of this happened.

Cassie is still missing, and it is tearing Sam apart. How can she regain her memories so she can help them find her? With that, the police seem to have a new suspect.

Sam better watch out.

What I liked most about this book is that it has a lot of suspense and really makes you wonder who actually killed Cassie.

There isn't anything that I can find that I don't like about this book.

I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak: The most reading fun I've had in a long time!

Image from Amazon.com

Guys. This book is so much fun. This book is read until it's too late to finish your homework fun. It's you forget to text your friends back fun.

Written by Missouri author Brian Katcher, The Improbable Theory of Ana and Zak is a story from two points of view. Ana is straight-laced, and lives with very controlling and demanding parents. her life revolves around her college applications and living up to others' very high expectations. Zak, on the other hand, is a slacker. He'd much rather being playing video games or table-top RPGs than working on school work or joining a club.

When Zak's attempt at plagiarism goes awry, he and Ana are forced to compete together in state Academic Bowl championships-- forcing Zak to miss Washingcon, his favorite even of the year. While Zak does end up being able to attend his nerdy convention, it's definitely not in the way that he originally thinks-- and a very angry Ana is along for the ride.

This book is as fun as it sounds and more. Don't get me wrong-- it has serious moments and moments that will make you upset, but it's definitely a feel-good book. I loved being able to see the two different sides of the story. Zak and Ana have such different perspectives that the book stays very lively and interesting throughout. Books don't often make me laugh out loud, but this one certainly did.

This book is on the list of Gateway novels for 2016-- so there are some places that are a little mature. There's some swearing and a few inappropriate jokes, but it's certainly fine for a PG-13 reader.

I'd give this book a 6 out of 5 stars, but we made the rule last year that 5 out of 5 would be our max.

In Real Life: A Great Graphic Novel!

Image from Amazon.com

I'm a huge fan of graphic novels, and In Real Life is a new addition to the Bode library that I just loved! The book is a fun and quick read, has beautiful art, and discusses the real consequences of our online interactions in the virtual world.

Anda, usually a little shy and self-conscious, falls in love with the online world of Coarsegold Online, an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role playing game). She loves the feeling of power and heroics that the game gives her-- it's an escape from her seemingly boring world. However, the "fake" world of Coarsegold become increasingly "real" when Anda is forced to face the reality of her online interactions. When she meets Raymond, an impoverished boy from China who plays Coarsegold Online 12 hours a day as his job, she begins to question the morality of her playing. It's up to Anda to sort out her feelings about what is right and what is wrong.

Overall, In Real Life is a great read. Anda is a super-relatable character, and her experiences in the book will open your eyes to some of the unfortunate sides of the video games that have become so popular in today's society. I'd give In Real Life a 5 out of 5 stars, and I'd recommend it to any audience who doesn't mind a few swear words in their book.  The cover recommends the book to "gamer girls," but I'd say that anyone who enjoys video games could enjoy this book.

Trouble By: Non Pratt

Add caption Amazon.com

I would recommend this book to a mature audience for things that it mentions or things that happen. I am recommending Trouble by Non Pratt. This book has a lot of drama and it is also romance.

Hannah should have been more careful. She knew the consequences that could happen if she wasn’t careful. Yet, she still did it, with him no less. It shouldn’t have been a problem for her if she had paid more attention, but she didn’t.

At fifteen years old, life smacked Hannah back when she found out she was pregnant. She has no one. Her best friend completely sold her out, revealed all of her secrets to the entire school. Her parents don’t know yet, and she’s not planning on telling them any time soon. No one wants to talk to her at all. Until Aaron comes along. The new kid doesn’t seem to care if she has a growing being in her. In fact, he actually offers to be the father. Hannah and Aaron go through many hard times with Hannah dealing with motherhood and Aaron trying to escape his past. Will they make it through or break in the middle?

I liked how this book also had Aaron’s point of view because it contributed a lot to how he was feeling towards everything and how he dealt with it.

I didn’t like how frequently it changed point of views because it eventually got confusing.

I give this book three out of five stars.

Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

www.scholastic.com

Out Of My Mind is one of my favorite books of all time. It is one of the books that got me into reading.

Out Of My Mind is about a girl named Melody. Melody can’t walk, can’t talk, and can’t take herself to the bathroom. When she finally goes to school, she has to go to a special ed class and learn the same thing over and over. But here is somthing nobody knows about her: she has a photographic memory.

I rate this book 5 stars.

Breathing Underwater By: Alex Finn

Image from Goodreads.com

WARNING! If you have had trouble with abuse or anger issues, this book may trigger you!

I am going to recommend Breathing Underwater by Alex Finn. This is more of a realistic fiction than anything else.

Nick Andreas was perfect. He was intelligent, handsome, popular, and wealthy. He had it all. That’s what everyone thought. No one knew the dread he felt every time he was alone with his father. Nick thinks all of his problems are over when he and Caitlin fall in love. He couldn’t be farther from the truth. Nick must face the fact that he has more of his father than his green eyes and money. Like father, like son, right?

I liked how this book took you into the mind of the one doing it instead of the victim.

I didn’t like how there were a lot of time skips throughout this book.

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

One For The Murphys By: Lynda Mullaly Hunt Reviewed By: Ana S.

Are you looking for a heartwarming short read? Well look no further! One For The Murphy's meet this criteria!

Picture By Amazon.com

Carley Connors ends up heading to a foster home after her step-father beat her and her mother, with her mother ending up going to a hospital for the meantime. Carley's foster home is with the Murphys, with a Red Sox firefighter father, a judgmental 5 year old, two little "superheroes", and the world's most perfect mother. At first, she hates staying there. She just wants to be with her mom again but, she starts to love the family. Just as she seems to love the perfect family, something changes in this perfect world they created for her.

One thing I liked about the book was the mother. She's so nice to Carley, even when she is the rudest at times.

One thing I didn't like about the book was the step-father. He was mentioned a few times and was described as a monster! Carley didn't deserve what she had coming to her!


This book is recommended for people who love realistic fiction books. This is also a short read, and I finished this book in two days. Highly recommended when you need to make a quick book report or book review for school.


I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.