Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Genre: Fiction Age Recommended: 14 and up This book was similar to the Hunger Games and Divergent series in that the story takes place after a huge war that causes wide scale destruction in The United States of America. However, I found this book to be more appealing since it doesn’t have as much gore and violence. —————————————– When the United States of America is destroyed, a new world called Illea is created. A world with new rules, new rulers, and no democracy. The people of this nation are divided into castes- there are Ones, which are … Continue reading Book Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Book Review: Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Age Recommended: 14 and up This book was very fast-paced in the beginning and started to slow down halfway through. ———————————————- Olivia and Zoe are best friends and always will be. Even when they get kicked out of their dance school where they’ve been performing for ten years, they find a way to bounce back to normal. Or as normal as it gets without dance in one’s life. However, Olivia goes to the hospital sick one day and doctors figure out that she has leukemia. When Zoe finds out, her world is … Continue reading Book Review: Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

March Recap

I’m really sorry. I know that I made a promise to publish at least two a week but I got caught up in school work and SOL’s. My favorite book this month was The Program by Suzanne Young and I am on the wait-list in the library to read The Remedy and The Treatment, which are the next two in the trilogy. Don’t forget! You can find my other reviews by looking for books in the search tab!   Continue reading March Recap

Book Review: The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Genre: Non-fiction Age Recommended: 14 and up This book was recommended to me by my dad’s colleague. She said it was an extraordinary book and after reading it, I must say I agree. —————————————————- Niamh has been separated from her family. She is being taken west on the Orphan Train – a train that transports orphans from the East Coast to the Midwest. She makes new friends but they are all eventually adopted. However, nobody wants a skinny, Irish, nine year-old girl. Niamh is finally adopted by a woman who is looking for a … Continue reading Book Review: The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

January and February Recap

My reviewing has been a bit slow recently and I’m sorry, but I have now made a goal to publish at least two book reviews a week. Also, my January reviewing list was quite poor so I’ve decided to do a January and February recap this time. My favorites in these two months were definitely Wheels Of Change and Girl On A Wire. Below is the list of books that I have reviewed in January and February. I was also really excited because Darlene Beck Jacobson, author of Girl On A Wire, sent me bookmarks and a signed bookplate as a gift for reviewing … Continue reading January and February Recap

Book Review: Sisters by Raina Telgemeier (A Companion novel to Smile by Raina Telgemeier)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars Genre: Graphic Novel Age Recommended: 12 and up I felt that this book perfectly shows the relationship between siblings and how their interactions affect their whole family. Raina Telgemeier also shows the feelings that involve four people living in an apartment, who are soon joined by a baby. This book goes between “present time” and flashbacks a lot which may seem confusing but the flashbacks are illustrated on yellow paper and they are there at the most appropriate of times. ——————————————————- Raina and her sister, Amara, have always wanted pets. However, when they do … Continue reading Book Review: Sisters by Raina Telgemeier (A Companion novel to Smile by Raina Telgemeier)

Book Review: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Genre: Graphic Novel Age Recommended: 11 and up This book was very comical and beautifully explained the pain of orthodontia and the experiences associated with it- both good and bad. This book is also based on the author’s own experiences and I am surprised that someone’s life could be so eventful in (judging by number of orthodontic procedures Raina Telgemeier had to go through.) This book also fit my 2015 Reading Challenge category of: “A book set in high school.” —————————————– Raina Telgemeier is a seventh grader who doesn’t really fit the ideal definition of “cool” and when she is running … Continue reading Book Review: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Book Review: Wheels of Change by Darlene Beck Jacobson

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Age Recommended: 12 and up Wheels of Change was an extraordinary book about a family trying to cope with the changing world and the technology revolution of the time. The author developed the main character of the book really well. The book also does a really good job of introducing kids to issues of women’s suffrage and racial discrimination, both of which were prevalent in early 1900s. I did find some parts of the story a little repetitive, but otherwise the book is very well-written. This book fit my 2015 Reading Challenge category … Continue reading Book Review: Wheels of Change by Darlene Beck Jacobson

Book Review: Girl On A Wire by Gwenda Bond

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars Genre: Fiction Age Recommended: 14 and up In this book, the author weaves a tale of fantasy that seems so realistic that it makes one believe in magic. This book is truly well-written. P.S. This was part of the recommended list of reads for ages 13 and over at http://www.aMightyGirl.com. ————————————————- Jules Maroni is a sixteen-year-old wire walker whose dream is to follow in her father’s footsteps. When Jules’ family gets offered a spot at the world’s most famous circus, Jules can’t wait to join them. However, the Garcias, a decade old rival of the Maroni … Continue reading Book Review: Girl On A Wire by Gwenda Bond

Book Review: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars Genre: Realistic Fiction Age Recommended: 14 and up This book was exceptionally well-written and humorous. This book also fit my 2015 reading category of: A book written by a female author! Three down and many more to go! ———————————————— Terra Cooper is perfect. Or so it seems with her flawless skin, petite body, and long blond hair. However, most people immediately notice the port wine stain on her cheek that can’t really be hidden by her hair. Terra is desperate to get the scar removed but her mom, and an encounter with a stranger, are about … Continue reading Book Review: North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley