Book Reviews
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Reviewed by L. Bauer, December 2019
Love a good romance book? Then Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell is perfect for you! When Eleanor moves in with her mother, she has to start riding the bus to school. This is where she meets Park. While things started off on a rough note between the two, eventually these two crazy kids fall in love. But...
Read moreHomefront by Kristin Hannah
Reviewed by R. Yelk, December 2019
Jolene and Micheal have always faced everyday challenges with their 2 kids, stressful jobs and Jolene’s choice to stay in the Air Force. But their biggest challenge would come when Jolene unexpectedly gets deployed and has to leave her family at home to go fight in Iraq. Jolene and Micheal have their own struggles...
Read moreNailed by Patrick Jones
Reviewed by B. Ullsvik, November 2019
Bret is your average kid in the summer of junior year. He goes to a few parties, sleeps all day, and rocks out his band. His summer changes completely when he and his friends go to a sophomore graduation party. When he is there, his crush, Kylee, says that she likes him and wants to date him. He says yes and bam...
Read moreCrunch Time by Mariah Fredericks
Reviewed by B. Ullsvik, November 2019
It is that time of the school year, time for the SATs! Of course, no one is excited. One group of friends decided to form a study group at someone's house. Jane, Leo, Daisy, and Max all want to do good on the SAT but think that the practice tests are bogus. Together they work on them and help each other with...
Read moreBlackbox by Julie Schumacher
Reviewed by M. Zillges, November 2019
Blackbox by Julie Schumacher is a book that talks about the struggles of having a teenage sister who happens to battle depression. Elena, the main character, faces some hard times as her sister is emitted to a psych ward. Not only does she not have her sister, she just moved into town so she doesn’t have...
Read moreGoldfish by Nat Luurtsema
Reviewed by B. Ullsvik, October 2019
Lou Brown was your average high school student. She had one friend from the swim team who was everything to her. The day of the race Lou’s heart was racing. It was the last race of the year before summer. The starting gun went off and she dove into the water. When the race was over, Lou realized that she hadn't...
Read moreWith the Fire on High by by Elizabeth Acevedo
Book Reviewed by K. Yanna, October 2019e
Emoni Santiago, a half Puerto-Rican half African American senior in high school, has more responsibilities than most kids her age. Since Emoni got pregnant freshman year, her life has been full of difficult choices. She must shoulder her responsibilities with grace for her daughter and her abuela. The one place...
Read moreA Cave in the Clouds by Badeeah Hassan Ahmed
Reviewed by K. Yanna, October 2019
Badeeah Hassan Ahmed grew up in a Yazidi family in Kocho, Iraq. She loves her rich culture, her family, and Nafaa - the boy she dances with at weddings. When her family hears of ISIS drawing near, they and other Yazidi families flee to the mountains. However, ISIS finds them and takes them as prisoners. As a prisoner...
Read moreOne of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Reviewed by M. Zillges, October 2019
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus is a book about four high school studies who are investigated for a murder of a fellow class mate Simon. Bronwyn, Cooper, Addy, and Nate all end up in detention on the same day along with Simon. Throughout the investigation the four of them all become very close to...
Read moreMilk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
Reviewed by K. Yanna, October 2019
Milk and Honey is a poetic autobiography of Rupi Kaur. She opens up about abuse, femininity, and love. It is a deeply personal story of survival. The four chapters of the book each discuss a different pain, a distinct purpose. To realize and treat the hurt done to us by ourselves and other people in a sweet...
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