Reviews by Category: Inspirational

Teen Review
Siddhartha by Herman Hesse

Siddhartha

By Herman Hesse
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Kayla F.
Apr 2, 2022

Siddhartha is a philosophical book by Herman Hesse that is centered around the rise of Buddhism.  It follows Siddhartha on his search for enlightenment and the benefits of teachers.  I think that Hesse brings up important topics and there is a lot to discuss from this book. However I find Siddhartha as a character to be obnoxious, self-centered, and rude which makes it hard to enjoy a book with a main character that you don’t enjoy.

Teen Review
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures

By Margot Lee Shetterly
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Kenken
Jan 27, 2022

3 African American women changed the way of science, space, and math forever. Katherine Johnson was the first African American woman to lift into space. The women created history and changed history forever. I absolutely loved this book. The background behind this book is so much. Seeing that three women helped create history is mind blowing. This book is for kids who want to be inspired who can learn that anything is possible if you believe. This 10 out of 10 book is a top favorite of mine.

Teen Review
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

By Ocean Vuong
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Lisa J.
Nov 19, 2021

Little Dog knows his mother cannot read, her education put to an abrupt end after the destruction of her schoolhouse by a napalm raid in her native Vietnam. So when he addresses this letter to his mother, he speaks not only to her but also to himself, straining to break free of his past. The words and phrases he knows his mother cannot understand spill out like secrets, truth, or something that lies somewhere in between.

Teen Review
The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give

By Angie Thomas
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Danielle H.
Oct 21, 2021

This book is about an African American girl named Starr Carter who lives in two different worlds with her school being predominantly white and located in a suburb and where she lives which is understood to be the ghetto. When she tries and figures out her different worlds, there is suddenly a traumatic event where her childhood best friend is fatally shot by a police officer. In order to take revenge and bring justice for her friend, she starts to protest and advocate for justice about police brutality against African Americans.

Teen Review
Fix by J. Albert Mann

Fix

By J. Albert Mann
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Marium K.
Oct 6, 2021

When 16 year old Eve gets major back surgery to fix her scoliosis, she is left alone to deal with the aftermath. She reminiscences about the times she spent with her best friend, Lidia. Throughout the story, she struggles with medicine addiction, loss, and disability.

Teen Review
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

Holding Up the Universe

By Jennifer Niven
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Justyna H.
Oct 6, 2021

In the young adult novel Holding Up the Universe, Libby Strout and Jack Masselin live two separate lives with the same goals: to be wanted in society. Libby, formerly known as “America’s Fattest Teen” who was cut out from her house after a massive panic attack, and Jack, a high school boy living with Prosopagnosia, the inability to recognize faces, even the people he loves, come together through a demoralizing prank.

Teen Review
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

By Maya Angelou
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Noor H.
Oct 6, 2021

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou is a memoir. Maya talks about her experiences growing up as an African American. She has to face discrimination and family problems, and tries to find her place in society. Finally, she is able to break certain barriers that society has created. Is she truly able to find her place?

Teen Review
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

The Poet X

By Elizabeth Acevedo
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Hannah K.
Sep 10, 2021

15-year-old Xiomara Batista never felt heard from the people around her. Although she hated it, her body did all the talking. With an overly religious mother and the judging stares of other people, Xiomara felt trapped, unable to break free from her problems. Due to her overwhelming emotions, she turned to writing poetry to manage her feelings.

Teen Review
El Deafo by Cece Bell

El Deafo

By Cece Bell
Star Rating
★★★

Rated by
Sriha P.
Jul 22, 2021

Cecila’s life was going well, until one day. She fell, and when she woke up she could not hear anything. She became deaf out of the blue. She had to go to a deaf school, and learn, which was hard for her. Instead she got a hearing aid, and she gets to go back to a normal school. But it did not feel as normal for Cecila. She looked different with the hearing aid, and it was harder for her to make friends. Do you think she will have a good and fun school year? Read El Deafo to find out!!

Teen Review
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

By Maya Angelou
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Saathwika A.
Jul 20, 2021

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiography by Maya Angelou. The story revolves around a young girl named Marguerite, who is also known as Maya Angelou, the author. Marguerite lives in Stamps, Arkansas. She is a black girl, living with her Uncle Willie and her grandmother, who she soon calls Momma. Marguerite has one brother named Bailey.

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