Teen and Staff Reviews

Teen Review
Heartstopper Volume 5

Heartstopper Volume 5

By Alice Oseman
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 15, 2024

Heartstopper Volume 5 follows Nick and Charlie in their relationship. This is a story about gay love and two characters struggling with mental health together. They go through struggles such as what happens when college separates us two and how to grow into their relationship together. This is the fifth of the series so read the first four before this one! 

Teen Review
The Selection

The Selection

By Kiera Cass
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Alana
Feb 15, 2024

The Selection is the perfect dystopian book if you love high society and competition. If you're looking for an easy read this is it. This book follows the main character American Singer and her journey competing for the crown. Although the names in this book might not be creative the plot pulls you in making you want to read more. By the end of the first book in this trilogy I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second book.

Teen Review
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where The Crawdads Sing

By Delia Owens
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 15, 2024

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, is a murder mystery-love novel that takes place in the marshes of North Carolina. The life of the protagonist Kya known as the marsh girl is on display showing her rough upbringing as her family leaves her and her father abuses her as she hides within the confines of the swamp. She meets Tate, they fall in love but Tate leaves for collage and doesn't come back then Kya meets Chase, the star of the small town but then Tate returns.

Teen Review
Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People

By Sally Rooney
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 15, 2024

Normal People is a young adult novel written by New York Times award-winning author Sally Rooney. It explores two protagonist Connell and Marianne, and we are introduced into their world and how they collide. It’s a complex exploration of young love, social dynamic, and finding one’s identity. Rooney’s writing is raw and honest, ensuring the feeling of teenage innocence with every page you turn. The characters in this novel feel so incredibly real, flawed, yet relatable.

Teen Review
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone

By Leigh Bardugo
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Ruby B.
Feb 15, 2024

Alina Starkov is an unknown soldier about to make her first journey over the Fold, an area of darkness occupied with creatures. A magic previously unknown to her is revealed as her regiment is attacked during their journey. As the Darkling, the country's military leader, takes an interest in her, she begins to discover her own power. It is believed that Alina may have the power to destroy the fold, but she first must master her skills. As danger closes in, Alina discovers something that can change everything. 

Teen Review
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2024

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a film adaptation of the novel written by Suzanne Collins. The plot of this film follows the rise of Coriolanus Snow, the ruthless president in The Hunger Games series that is set to take place around 65 years after the plot of this film. Coriolanus lives in the Capitol and is graduating during the time of the tenth Hunger Games.

Teen Review
The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner

Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2024

The Maze Runner film is a movie adaptation of the dystopian novel by James Dashner. The plot of this film follows a boy named Thomas, who finds himself transported to a place called the Glade, a small area surrounded by tall walls and filled with other boys around his age.

Teen Review
The House of the Spirits

The House of the Spirits

By Isabel Allende
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2024

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is an enthralling novel following the lives of Clara del Valle and her family as well as Esteban Trueba. Allende’s epic follows the lives of the Del Valle family from the time that Clara is born and through the rest of her life.

Teen Review
Lion by Saroo Brierley

Lion

By Saroo Brierley
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2024

Lion is based on a true story of Saroo Brierley’s journey of finding his way home. The author shares his story of how he got lost on a train when he was only five-years-old and ended up being separated from his family. Later, he was adopted by an Australian family. Eventually, after years of research and effort, Brierly ended up tracking down his biological family using Google Earth and was reunited with them. In my opinion, this is by far one of the most emotional books I’ve ever read.

Teen Review
1984 book cover

1984

By George Orwell
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Anonymous
Feb 14, 2024

1984 is a dystopian novel about what life is like in Oceania with the totalitarian government watching over every citizens’ move. The main character, Winston, struggles with the concept of freedom since citizens are not allowed to have thoughts, or do what they want. The book explores how Winston tries to go about rebelling against the totalitarian rules. I would highly recommend that everyone reads this book. It exposes a world of fear and the unknown, and how characters live a life in a situation like this.

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