Unplugged by Gordon Korman
	Reviewed by Anonymous September 7, 2024 Grade 9

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags: Male Protagonist, friendship, and animals

Plot Summary:  Spoiled Jett Baranov, the son of Vladimir Baranov a tech billionaire from his invention of Fuego is sent to a remote wellness retreat called Oasis due to his latest antic in which he caused the San Francisco Airport to close. Upon arrival, Jett constantly complains about the temperature being too hot and the air being moist. When they arrive at the wellness center, they are greeted by Ivory who says that they have to turn in their phones. After a little bit of arguing, he finally complies and turns it in. Jett is very unenthusiastic about being at the Oasis because he doesn't get to have a phone and the food is all vegetarian, making Jett furious at his dad for sending him there. Jett meets new kids like Tyrone who’s basically allergic to everything and is constantly scratching and Grace who is fully into the Oasis and loves going there. Grace hates Jett because she feels as though he is ruining her time at the Oasis. Grace finds a reptile by the side of the hot water springs and decides to take care of it. While Jett is wandering the camp he sees Grace taking care of the reptile and confronts her, since her back is against the wall she tells Jett what's going on. They end up nurturing the reptile who they name "Neddles". Jett starts to get suspicious of the adults at camp and he goes to investigate. After investigation, he feels there is something going on at camp and he is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Personal Review:  Personally, I found this book interesting because of the adventure and the mystery aspects in the book. I think it was interesting to read about how Jett, Grace, Tyrone, and Brooklyn would sneak off from the Oasis to go to town where they could buy food for Needles and eat meat like BBQ ribs. It was fascinating to find out that Needles was actually a baby alligator that was getting bred at Ivory's illegal alligator farm. I got some good laughs in when Jett would do things without thinking them through like when he jumped into the hot springs and then he instantly jumped out because the water was so hot or like how he thought that he could take on Ivory and her bodyguards when they outnumbered him 4 to 1. I honestly don't think there was a part in the book that I didn't like because without certain parts in the book, the whole story wouldn't have been as good like Needles or the Oasis not allowing phones so Jett having to sneak his phone so he could order things like a jet ski and a Dance Revolution arcade game.

Similar Reads: Charlie Thorne by Stuart Gibbs, City Spies by James Ponti, Framed by James Ponti, and The Unteachables by Gordon Korman

	The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
	Reviewed by Arhaam Shahid July 22, 2024 Grade 8

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags: Male protagonist, coming of age, identity and belonging, young adult, class conflict, classic literature

Plot Summary: The Outsiders is a novel published in 1968 by S.E. Hinton. The plot revolves around Ponyboy and his brothers, Darry and Sodapop, who struggle to stay together after the death of their parents. They belong to a gang called the Greasers, composed of working-class youths. They are perpetually at odds with the Socs (short for Socials), a gang of affluent teenagers. The narrative unfolds as Ponyboy, along with his brothers and friends, grapples with the harsh realities of their world, marked by violence, prejudice, and a constant struggle for respect and survival as tensions between the Greasers and the Socs escalate, Ponyboy and his friend Johnny are involved in a violent altercation that leads to a tragic series of events. The novel delves into the consequences of their actions and the harsh realities of their lives, culminating in a heavy climax.

Personal Review: The Outsiders is a timeless novel that addresses serious themes relevant to teenagers and continues to resonate with readers across generations. It deals with the pain of social inequality, and the power of friendship. I really liked the novel because it had more tension than most books I have read and because it was written by Hinton when she was just a teenager herself. I enjoy historical stories and this novel captures the cultural and social dynamics of that era, focusing on the tensions between two teenage gangs, the Greasers and the Socs (short for Socials). Hinton's writing is straightforward yet vivid in detail. The character development in The Outsiders feels authentic because it shows how the characters, especially Ponyboy, change and grow as they face tough situations, learn about themselves, and understand others better. Hinton captures the raw emotions and inner thoughts of her characters with clarity. You see Ponyboy’s transformation from innocence to nuanced understanding of the world around him. Whether you are a teenager or an adult, The Outsiders offers a poignant and unforgettable journey into the heart of what it means to be an outsider.

Similar Reads: This Was Then, That is now by S.E. Hinton.

	TJ Powar Has Something To Prove by Jesmeen Kaur Deo
	Reviewed by Anonymous March 20, 2024 Grade 10

Your Rating: ☆★★★★

Book Tags: body image, speech and debate, cyberbullying, romance

Plot Summary: TJ Powar is a high school debate student who participates in debate with her cousin, Simran in her high school in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Her cousin is a Sikh girl who doesn’t remove any hair at all. So as a result, TJ and Simran become a victim of cyberbullying by becoming part of a meme on social media. This meme is made to make fun of Simran for having a lot of body hair on her body and never shaving it off. TJ is bothered by this meme, so she gets rid of her razors and wax. Eventually, TJ breaks up with her boyfriend since he feels disgusted by TJ’s body hair. TJ does anything she can so she can help Simran feel better. Debate practice and preparation helped TJ not focus too much on her outer beauty and body hair. She can prove to others that she can be her hairy self and still be beautiful.

Personal Review: This book was amazing in going in depth about body image and how people perceive body hair on girls. This novel is very inspiring for me since sometimes I would worry about imperfections but reading this helped me know to not worry about body image. I have been cyberbullied before so reading a character who has also been cyberbullied makes me feel informed that cyberbullying is common and I’m not the only one. The author gave great descriptions of the characters that were either likable or not. I couldn’t stop reading this book since the pages were full of details that I was curious to know about. This book is also about finding out who your real friends or partners are. This relates to me because I have had many experiences where I struggled with seeing which friends are truly my friends. I recommend this book to anyone who needs inspiration or who wants to read something relatable to what they are experiencing.

Similar Reads: A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi, The Wicked Ones by Robin Benway, and Saints of the Household by Ari Tison

	Saints of the Household by Ari Tison
	Reviewed by Anonymous March 15, 2024 Grade 10

Your Rating: ★★★★★Save

Book Tags: brothers, Indigenous culture, abuse

Plot Summary: Max and Jay are brothers who always have each other’s back. Max likes to create art while Jay likes to hang out with Nicole, their cousin. Their father is very abusive, so they have to work hard to take care of their mother. They are a member of an indigenous tribe in Costa Rica called the Bribri. One day, the brothers were in the woods walking around until they noticed Nicole arguing with Luca, her boyfriend. As a result, Jay goes up to Luca and fights with him since he is angry that Luca is being disrespectful to Nicole. Max and Jay get in trouble at school, so they attend counseling sessions. Unfortunately, as they deal with the issue at school, their father abuses their mother very badly. Things get much worse with Luca as he continues being rude to Jay either at school or at 7-Eleven. The brothers are going to do whatever it takes so they can have a great record for colleges to look at.

Personal Review: This novel was an amazing read! This book is told in vignettes and poems, so I found it interesting how the story was structured. I also liked how the book alternates between the points of view of Jay and Max. What fascinated me the most was that it talked about Indigenous cultures which can help with diversity and inclusion. The author’s writing style was very descriptive and beautiful to read. There aren’t that many books that represent Indigenous people very well, but this novel did a great job of doing so. Before reading this book, I never knew about the Bribri culture that the author portrays in the story until now. This is perfect for people who want to learn about Indigenous cultures or who want to read a book with a different structure than a typical novel. Every page made the story kind of come to life in a way with very descriptive details and good use of literary devices. There were some poems in the book that were shaped in a diamond, a picture frame, or words scattered all over the page which made it fun to read. This book would also be great for anyone who wants to see a different structure in a novel or wants to read with vignettes and poems in it.

Similar Reads: Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, Talking Leaves by Joseph Bruchac

	Illegal by Bettina Restrepo
	Reviewed by Anonymous March 5, 2024 Grade 10

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: immigration, female protagonist, belonging

Plot Summary: Nora is a 15-year-old girl who lives in Cedula, Mexico on a farm where grapefruits are grown. A couple of years ago, Nora’s father left Cedula to go find work in the United States. Nora lives with her mother and grandmother trying to help around the house and to work. Nora’s mother realizes that there isn't much work and money to survive so Nora suggests moving to the United States. Things in Cedula were getting much worse like nuns closing the village church and the school being closed down. Nora and her mother take a bus to a border city in Mexico. Then, they pay the coyote, and the coyote hides them in a mango truck. Once they arrived in Houston, the coyote tried to kill her mother and kidnap her, but Nora defended herself and fought the coyote hard. They went to a grocery store to get papers so they could work. Nora finds a job selling food on a cart with a man named Jorge. Nora and her mother ask people where Nora’s father could be but there was no luck. Along the way, Nora meets Keisha, a girl who hangs out in the pool, and Flora, a girl who is struggling to find work. Will Nora and her mother be able to find Nora’s father before things get any worse?

Personal Review: This novel was amazing and I enjoyed reading it! I read this novel in 2 days since the book was hard to put down and got very interesting as I turned the pages. I liked how the author realistically depicted the life of an immigrant who had a difficult life in their home country and then moved to the United States. This book is so relatable to what immigrants have experienced and current immigration issues. Nora is a very likable character since the author made her brave and hardworking. This is a great inspiration for immigrants who are struggling to find a new home and are trying to have a better life. The Spanish words in this book made the dialogue more interesting and realistic between the characters. This novel gives similar insights to what my parents had to experience when they came to the United States. Throughout the book, Nora has grown into this amazing character who is willing to help her family and not let barriers affect her new way of living. This novel is recommended for people who want to dig deeper into the lives of immigrants or want to have compassion for immigrants.

Similar Reads: Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher, All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir, and Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

	Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan
	Reviewed by Anonymous October 27, 2023 Grade 12

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Female Protagonist, Coming of Age, Sisters

Plot Summary: In Spoiled by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, we follow a girl named Molly Dix. Molly lives in Indiana and is coping with Laurel’s (her mom) death. She found out that her biological father is no other than Brick Berlin, a famous movie star that lives in Los Angeles, California. She decides to move out of Indiana and head over to California to meet up with him. After Molly arrives in Los Angeles, she meets her half-sister named Brooke. Brooke gets jealous that Molly is getting along with Brick. Molly soon has a hard time adjusting to being famous at school or around her house.

Personal Review: I loved this book. Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan did a great job adding details to page turning scenes filled with drama and romance. I loved the character development from Molly and Brooke because they acted like sisters when they needed each other the most. They changed from hating each other to respectful and helpful with each other. From this book, I can guarantee that this book made me appreciate my siblings more because they will always be there for me, and I will always have their back no matter what circumstances they will or have faced. I recommend this book to people who want a good drama between siblings and possibly get a feel of what it might be like becoming famous. I recommend this book to those who want to appreciate their siblings more or to those who are wanting to read a sibling drama story.

Similar Reads: Messy by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (The sequel to Spoiled)

	Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich
	Reviewed by Alexis Aakre October 2, 2023 Grade 8

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: musical adaptation, male protagonist

Plot Summary: Dear Evan Hansen is a novel about a boy who struggles to make friends. The novel is based on the musical of the same name and was later adapted into a movie. The book starts with Evan writing letters to himself on the first day of school. Later in the day, a boy named Connor Murphy offers to sign Evan's cast. After a miscommunication, Connor takes a letter that Evan had written in the computer lab and disappears. After not seeing Connor for a few days, Evan is worried and discovers that Connor had died, with Evan's letter folded in his jacket pocket. Connor's family believes Evan and Connor were best friends, due to 'Connor' being signed on Evan's cast and the letter addressed 'Dear Evan Hansen'. Evan doesn't know what to do, so he goes along with the story. Eventually, a small lie spirals into a large fabrication of a faked friendship between Evan and Connor. Throughout the process, Evan creates a fundraiser called the Connor Project and Evan is trapped in a web of disinformation.

Personal Review: I really liked this book. I was interested in it from the start, after I had listened to a few songs from the musical. Dear Evan Hansen, is one of my favorite books I have ever read and I would highly recommend it to anyone. Parts of it made me laugh and others made me cry, but I loved this story overall. One of the messages greatly expressed throughout the story is acceptance and staying true to yourself. I felt touched emotionally while reading Dear Evan Hansen and believe it is a novel everyone should read. It is a great book for teens or young adults to read, but I would not recommend it to anyone under 13. It touches on some unsettling topics such as suicide, but other than that it is an amazing novel. Dear Evan Hansen is something that fans of the musical or movie should definitely read. Even if people have never heard of this novel, they will definitely enjoy this emotional story.

Similar Reads: I do not think I have read any books like Dear Evan Hansen but Be More Chill is another great book connected to a musical. Be More Chill is a story about a boy who wants to be cool, so he takes a special pill with a computer inside of it.

	Restart by Gordon Korman
	Reviewed by Anonymous September 13, 2023 Grade 8

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Male protagonist, Realistic fiction, novel, psychological fiction

Plot Summary: When Chase Ambrose a teen star footballer at Hiawassee Middle School falls off a roof & develops amnesia, he’s faced with having to restart his life. Upon returning to school, he is puzzled by how some people are happy to see him while others steer clear of him. Shoshanna Weber is one of the people who hate Chase and his “Friends” Aaron Hakimian, & Bear Bratsky for having bullied her twin brother, Joel, so badly that their parents sent Joel away to boarding school. She hears about Chase’s fall over the summer but doesn’t realize he has amnesia at first. Mr. Solway (Mr. S), a Korean War veteran who won a Medal of Honor for opening an enemy tank, and killing the enemy soldiers inside with a grenade, lives in the assisted living facility where middle-school bullies Chase Ambrose, Aaron Hakimian, and Bear Bratsky are sentenced to community service. Previously Chase stole the medal with Aaron & Bear’s assistance, Mr. S assumes he lost it & believes he’s gone downhill since his wife died. After Chase develops amnesia due to a concussion, he notices a photo in Mr. S’s room of Mr. Solway receiving the medal from President Truman, he asks questions, eventually befriending and becoming a kind of adopted grandson. After revealing he stole Mr. S’s medal, Chase gets taken to court where the whole town goes to say he’s now good, Mr. S comes in last & says he does not want to press charges. judge rules to dismiss the case. Chase starts dating Shoshanna & they win a prize for their movie on Mr. S.

Personal Review: I loved how Chase Ambrose became a better person after his amnesia instead of staying a bully since it shows how some people can change for the better. I loved how the book has a depiction of a war veteran and how Mr. Solway ended up treating Chase like his grandchild or child. I enjoyed how Chase after being and proving he’s better, gains support from the whole town in a time of need. I enjoyed how the story changes and is applicable to our real lives since it shows how bullies work and how the punishments are for people under eighteen. There wasn’t a single thing I didn’t enjoy in this story I loved every single thing. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mix of physiological fiction and realistic fiction.

Similar Reads: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty, Slacker By Gordon Korman

	Idol Gossip by Alexandra Leigh Young
	Reviewed by Anonymous August 22, 2023 Grade 12

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Female protagonist, Music

Plot Summary: Alice and her family moved from San Francisco to South Korea because of her mother’s new job. Now they will have to pursue their dreams and attend school in Korea. One day, the girls were singing their favorite songs at a karaoke place. When Alice was singing, a recruiter from a top K-pop entertainment told her that she was talented and should audition to be debuted. Alice passed the audition, and the recruiters told her she needed to attend their academy. When she enters the academy she meets her group, A-List, the ones she will debut with. Alice and her group are determined and ready for their hardcore training so they can debut and succeed.

Personal Review: In the book Idol Gossip Alexandra Leigh Young shows off the behind-the-scenes journey into the K-pop world and a story of self-discovery and coming of age. In the book, Alice and her group, A-List are portrayed as if they were an actual K-pop group trying to debut and be famous. I liked Alice as a main character because she was determined to debut with her group and improve her singing and dancing skills. I also enjoyed how Alice’s family supported her no matter how long it took before the group debuted. Some things I learned is that we all have to face some of the hardest challenges in order to pursue our dreams and also what K-pop idols have to go through as a trainee before they debut with a group along with what certain expectations they are required to have.

Similar Reads: Truly Madly Famous by Rebecca Serle, Comeback by Lyn Ashwood and Rachel Rose

	You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson
	Reviewed by Anonymous August 4, 2023 Grade 12

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Female Protagonist, Coming of Age

Plot Summary: Liz Lighty is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in Pruitt, where money isn’t often in abundance. Liz dreams of amassing enough money to attend the elite college, Pennington, in the future and escape the expectations of her home, classmates, family, and town. When Liz learns of a local scholarship contest providing a full ride to college, she takes up the challenge and embarks on a treacherous journey. Liz competes with the cool girls in school to win Prom Queen as she manages her own feelings of uncertainty and worthlessness.

Personal Review: You Should See Me in a Crown is a coming-of-age novel with a unique take, that captures the struggles of a teenage girl (Liz) discovering her identity and power in an oppressive small town filled with the rich. With Liz’s senior year being relatable to some girls, it has captured the emotional ups and downs of the experience of being a teenager. I liked that Liz was determined to find a scholarship so her grandparents wouldn’t contribute and how she could always get support from her best friends and acquaintances. I have learned the importance of friendship and self-identity as I turned the pages of this novel wondering what will occur next. I would recommend this book for those of you who are struggling with finding your identity or just wanting to read a prom-themed book before Prom.

Similar Reads: I haven’t read this book, but, Everything Leads to You by Nina LaCour.

	Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
	Reviewed by Olivia Morrison May 12, 2023 Grade 7

Your Rating: ★★★★★

Book Tags: Coming Of Age, funny, creative

Plot Summary: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a coming-of-age novel that follows the life of Margaret Simon, an 11-year-old girl who has recently moved to New Jersey from New York City. Margaret is half-Jewish and half-Christian, and she often finds herself struggling to fit in with her new friends who all seem to have a religion and belief in God. Margaret begins to explore her own spirituality and starts talking to God in private, seeking his guidance as she navigates the ups and downs of growing up. Throughout the novel, Margaret deals with common adolescent issues such as puberty, boys, and friendships. She develops a close relationship with two friends, Nancy Wheeler and Gretchen Potter, but also faces some rivalry and pressure from Laura Danker. Margaret also has a strained relationship with her parents, as they share different religious beliefs and have difficulty understanding each other. As Margaret grows more curious about her own religious identity, she starts visiting different places of worship with her family and even attends a Christian youth group at Laura's church. Additionally, Margaret also begins wearing a training bra and later gets her first period. She confides in God throughout these changes and eventually comes to a personal understanding of her own spirituality and connection to a higher power.

Personal Review: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a coming-of-age novel by Judy Blume that tells the story of Margaret Simon, a sixth-grade girl who moves from New York City to Farbrook, New Jersey and is struggling with her identity. Blume's novel has become a classic of young adult literature, and for good reason. Blume handles complex topics such as religion, puberty, and family dynamics with sensitivity and authenticity. Margaret's struggles with her religious identity, and her conversations with God throughout the novel, are relatable and thought-provoking. Blume's portrayal of Margaret's experiences with puberty is also impressive, with the author detailing the confusion and uncertainty that often accompanies this period of life. Blume's writing style is simple yet effective, and her characters are well-developed. The novel's enduring popularity can also be attributed to its timelessness; despite being originally published in 1970, the themes and issues it explores remain relevant to modern readers. Additionally, Blume's frank and honest approach to the topic of menstruation was groundbreaking for its time. Overall, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a must-read for anyone navigating the challenges of growing up and finding their place in the world, and I felt so immersed in the story that I couldn't put it down until the very end. 

Similar Reads: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a coming-of-age novel that tackles topics such as puberty, religion, and friendship. Similar reads to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret include Blubber by Judy Blume which deals with bullying and body shaming. Another similar read to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, a novel that explores adolescence, conformity vs. individuality and non-conformity. Another similar read is Forever also by Judy Blume that deals with teenage sexuality and relationships, and the challenges of growing up. Other similar reads to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret include The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes which addresses issues of social exclusion, bullying, and prejudice.