Student Reviews

The Lover's Dictionary
David Levithan
Reviewed by Sam Obenauer, Grade 8

The Lover’s Dictionary is exactly that: A dictionary. Although, it is different from a normal one. This book is a selection of words whose definitions are a short event in a relationship. Readers keep getting these tastes of the relationship that leave you wanting more. When reading this book the words are meant to teach you how to describe a relationship, but at some point, I learned that a relationship is truly indescribable. At the end of the book, I found myself sitting there for a few minutes, putting the relationship together, linking events, just wishing to be able to see what happens next. Then again, sometimes the best stories are the ones that allow you to imagine what happens next, fill in the blanks. The ones that start a thought or an idea, that keeps going. This book was different from any other book I have read.

David Levithan is the author of many acclaimed young-adult novels, including the New York Times bestselling Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (with Rachel Cohn), which was adapted into a popular movie.

I'll Give You The Sun
Jandy Nelson
Reviewed by Samara Obenauer, Grade 7

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson is an amazing novel that leaves readers longing for more. This book is about a set of twins that try to navigate the disaster they both face. Each sees it differently, though, because both know completely different sides of the story. The reader sees the events leading up to the disaster, and the tragedy itself through the eyes of Noah, and they see the result through the eyes of Jude. Both desperately need each other. This story shows two types of romance: the destined to be together and the pure longing. Readers know all the same emotions as the characters. Throughout the story, readers feel like they are truly in the life of the character they follow. This story was an emotional roller coaster I could not put down. Overall, this is one of the best books I have ever read.

Stoker's Manuscript
Royce Prouty
Reviewed by Claire Paquin, Grade 10

Stoker’s Manuscript is impossible to put down. From the minute I opened this book, I knew that it would quickly become one of my all-time favourites. Prouty’s amazing adventure tells the tale of a Romanian orphan, Joseph Barkeley, who is endowed with an interesting power, which aids him in his profession. He takes on a client, who requires him to travel to his homeland to deliver a very rare book: Bram Stoker’s original draft of Dracula. While there, he discovers something that he never could have imagined would exist: Vampires. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read. It parallels a renowned tale,  while managing to stay true to its own plot, leaving readers in suspense. It is an interesting and timeless story, that can be enjoyed by all.

I really enjoyed reading Cabin Fever. One of the things I liked is that Greg keeps talking about his past and it's really funny. For example, when Greg said he wouldn’t pass 6^th grade because he didn’t know to skip. I also like this book because Greg thinks the police are going to arrest him because he told a lie. I hope Jeff Kinney, the author, writes more books like this one.

The Inheritance Cycle
Christopher Paolini
Reviewed by Savannah Robson, Grade 10

Over many years of reading marvelous novels, there is one book series that I can not help but admire: The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. I started this series in the third grade; this is not a simple book for a 10 year old. With its intriguing tale about dragon riders and magic I was enchanted. The tales almost felt real, like they actually happened and could be re-enacted. At that age, I didn't realize just how creative and inspiring the writing and story were. I have read this entire series three times over and I have never been let down. Paolini’s words create a written movie that can easily be projected in your mind. This novel is a fantasy and gives the reader the experience as if they were there. I would recommend this amazing book series to everyone.

The Secret Garden
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Reviewed by Chloe Moore, Grade 2

The Secret Garden is a great book. An Indian girl that I would say is a little English named Mary Lennox loses her parents and her Ayah - an Ayah is like a Nanny. A very sour girl she is and so careless. She moves in with her uncle Mr.Craven. People say that he is a hunchback. But is he? When she meets Martha her maid, Martha tells Mary about “ a secret garden”. Somehow she gets in and meets Martha’s brother Dickon. Dickon is pretty much the most kind and gentle boy you will ever meet - with his animals and bright smile he could change anybody, including Mary Lennox herself. And then she meets Mr.Craven himself. I like The Secret Garden because it is an adventure. Chloe Moore

Lumberjanes Volume One: Beware the Kitten Holy - Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis.
Illustrated by Brooke Allen
Reviewed by Madelyn Harris, Grade 2

I read Lumberjanes Volume One: Beware the Kitten Holy written by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis, illustrated by Brooke Allen. It’s a graphic novel about five girls staying at an overnight camp. Each girl has a particular interest, like one is strong, one is good at archery, and others have different specialties. The girls discover that there are weird animals in the woods, like three-eyed foxes, yetis, a bear woman, and other critters. When they go to investigate the mysterious woods, the girls meet some boy campers. The boys’ camp is very orderly, but the boy campers somehow get rabies and act all weird. The girls are brave, but their instructor is not very brave. I like the characters and that the kids save the day. My mom likes that it’s a series by women about tough smart girls. Volume 2 of the Lumberjanes series just came out too! Madelyn C. Harris

One Dead Spy - Nathan Hale
Reviewed by Lilly Harris, Grade 4

One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale is part of a series of graphic novels about American history. The series is called Hazardous Tales, and the first of the series is about the author’s namesake, Nathan Hale, the first American spy during the American Revolution. In the beginning of the book, Hale was about to be hanged, and then he got swallowed by a giant history book, and when he came out, he could see the future. He tells his hangman and the guard stories from the future. The story in the first book is about the real Nathan Hale, and how he graduated from Yale and joined the Revolutionary army. He was very unlucky because he got caught on his spy mission. I liked the hangman in this book because I thought he was funny. The whole book made learning about American history funny and fun. Lilly D. Harris

The Stonekeeper - Kazu Kibuishi
Reviewed by Maple Van Orden, Grade 4

The book series I am reading now is called Amulet. The first book in the series is The Stonekeeper. It is a graphic novel about a girl, Emily, whose father died and she goes to live in her great grandfather’s house with her brother and mother. At the house, she finds herself holding a maroon stone necklace. What she doesn’t know is that this isn’t any plain old stone. It gives her powers and talks in Emily’s [the girl’s] mind. She finds her great grandfather, who had disappeared, after she found a secret door. He tells her that she must not turn back and that she is the only hope. Emily thought strangely of this, but when the stone asked her to be the keeper of the stone, she did not refuse. She goes on an adventure, to help defeat the evil elves. I like these books because there is adventure and magic and I like mystical creatures. Maple Van Orden, March 28th, 2015.

Middle School

Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
Reviewed by Olivia Johnson, Grade 7

I  absolutely love this book! The setting, both distopian and medieval, is intriguing and unique. Minor characters are well-developed with a fair amount of depth and detail. The plot itself is fresh and absolutely extraordinary. The major plot twist - something I don't usually enjoy -  shocked me and made me nearly cry due to my love of the character Maven. Mare, the  protagonist, is sweet, brave, and a bit indecisive. From her half-in half-out attitude, to her  confusion surrounding Cal and Maven, indecision is a common trend. I had a bit of a love hate  relationship with Cal. The powers of the different characters are all awe inspiring, but could be a bit more creative: Mind control, elemental powers, and super strength  are all a bit elementary. I think the way these powers suit their characters is what makes them so perfect. For example, Evangeline's power is like her: lethal and terrifying. I  highly recommend this book, and will be back to buy the next one soon. Olivia Johnson

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer - John Grisham
Reviewed by Madison Hopkins, Grade 7

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer ​by John Grisham is a great book. It is a legal thriller and is the first book in the Theodoore Boone series. It is about a kid named Theo whose parents are lawyers, so he spends a lot of time in the courthouse. He also knows a lot about the law. He lives in the small town of Strattenburg where there is normally not a lot of crime, until now. There has been a murder in the Duffy family, and Theo is the only person, besides the unknown witness, that knows the truth. Theodore now has to figure out how to bring the killer to justice. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mystery, or anyone who is interested in the law. Madison Hopkins

Fly by Night
Frances Hardinge
Reviewed by Charlotte Sachs, Grade 12 

The Legend Trilogy
Marie Lu
Reviewed by Jamie Boyle, Grade 10

This is my absolute, all time favorite book series! If you are into dystopian novels, such as Divergent or The Hunger Games, this would be a great book for you! Right from the beginning, you will feel a connection with the two main characters, Day and June. Day is the Republic’s notorious rebel, and at the age of fifteen, is the most wanted criminal. June, on the other hand, is the Republic’s prodigy who is chosen to find and capture Day. Although they come from completely different worlds, they make an unbreakable connection. Aside from Day and June’s growing affection towards one another, there is tons of suspense throughout the trilogy. In their world, the United States has been split into the Republic and the Colonies. Neither one is perfect and both are continually getting angrier with one another. Will Day and June survive long enough to get their happy ending, or will their country’s secrets rip them apart? Jamie Boyle

The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Reviewed by Sabrina LaCross, Grade 10

I shed a few tears while reading The Hunger Games trilogy, but would recommend it to anyone. I picked this trilogy because it teaches young readers to watch or say what you do. The trilogy also shows that you can’t save everyone that you love. Katniss, the heroine, always did her best to protect the people that she loved, but she couldn’t protect them all. I think my favorite book out of the trilogy was the first book. The book I cried the most over was Mocking Jay, but I would still recommend it to anyone. I always like to read books before watching the movies. I have watched all the movies from The Hunger Games to Mocking Jay Part 1. Personally, the books are way better than the movies by a long run. People who just watch the movies are totally missing out on stuff. Sabrina LaCross