The Outsiders is a coming-of-age novel by S.E. Hilton and is a story about how a boy and his two older brothers survive in the world after the death of their parents. The main character, Ponyboy (his real name is Michael Curtis), is a 14-year-old who is in a gang with his brothers and friends. They view themselves as outsiders to the real world and take care of one another like family. The book covers the journey they go through as they struggle to get by.
Natasha is a girl who believes in facts and knows them very well. A fact she currently knows all too well right now is that tonight her family is going to have to leave America. Natasha knows that this is not her fault, it was her father’s but she has to deal with the consequences and move from New York to Jamaica. All on her mind is fixing the problem that was not hers in the first place.
You may have read Madeleine L’Engle’s most famous book, A Wrinkle in Time, which won the Newbery Medal and is still available almost everywhere, even 60 years after it was published in 1962. But you may not know about L’Engle’s “other” famous series, about the Austin family. The Moon by Night is the second book in the Austin family series. The book, which is not science fiction, focuses on the coming-of-age story of Vicky Austin, age 14.
Natasha and Daniel live in New York City living two different lives. Natasha wants truth and a-to-b points in life, and Daniel wants to be the best for his father and make his father’s dreams come true, but not everything can happen their way. Their lives crossed and stars tried to align, but will the stars every make the right constellation? This book was definitely a read for the ages! I was never disappointed with any part of the book. The feelings that arose from this book were very strong and I would absolutely recommend this to everyone!
I’ll Give You the Sun is Jandy Nelson’s second novel, and her most acclaimed - it won the Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature in 2015. The story follows twins Noah and Jude Sweetwine as they struggle with love, death, art, and each other. It’s set on the California coast with a cast of artists, surfers, and occasional vengeful ghosts. The audience switches between Noah’s point of view in their younger years, and Jude’s after they’ve grown up a little.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a realistic fiction novel. The book follows the character Kya as she navigates growing up alone and apart from the rest of society. The novel details her journey and her constant growth of knowledge through the highs and lows of friendships, romantic relationships, work, etc. She lives in an area called “the Marsh” and enjoys her lifestyle being one with the wilderness.
Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson, is a Young Adult Fiction book. Speak, told by Melinda Sordino, is about facing the traumas of high school. Before Freshman year, Melinda goes to a party, in which she calls the cops. Therefore, no one talks to her, not even her best friend. At that party, an older guy raped Melinda, so when she goes back to school, she is continually haunted by the guy. But, when she learns to speak for not only herself, but many other teenagers, things change.
The story of love, heartbreak, betrayal, and reunion between the two main characters, Connell and Marianne. Told over the course of a few years, readers follow their journey through high school and college as they navigate their ever-changing relationship. I really wanted to like this book. After everything I had heard about Sally Rooney, I had high expectations for this book, and unfortunately, I feel like it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Normally I am a big fan of romance, but this one just didn’t cut it for me.
