Reviews by Tag: identity

Teen Review
American Street book cover

American Street

By Ibi Zoboi
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Mahad Z.
Jan 19, 2024

American Street by Ibi Zoboi is a compelling novel that follows the journey of Fabiola Toussaint, a Haitian immigrant, as she moves to Detroit with her mother to join their family. However, Fabiola's mother is detained at the U.S. border, leaving Fabiola to navigate the challenges of American life alone. The story explores themes of identity, cultural clash, and the pursuit of the American dream.

Teen Review
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue book cover

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

By V.E. Schwab
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by
Mahad Z.
Dec 29, 2023

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab follows the extraordinary life of Adeline LaRue, a young woman in 18th-century France who makes a Faustian bargain for eternal life, but with the caveat that no one will remember her. Addie navigates centuries, experiencing the highs and lows of human existence while grappling with the loneliness of her unique circumstance.

Teen Review
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

By Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by
Kendal A.
Oct 2, 2021

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, is a realistic fiction novel about Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza. Aristotle is a lonely, angry teenager. He wants to learn more about his brother, who is in prison. And his father, who has become quiet and closed off after returning from war. Once he meets his best friend, Dante, he starts questioning more things than he ever had before.

Teen Review

Into White

By Randi Pink

Rated by
Olivia from Leawood Pioneer Library YAAC
May 9, 2017

LaToya goes to a mostly white school. She has no friends and even the other black kids make fun of her. One night she prays to be anything but black, and she wakes up with white skin, blond hair, and blue eyes. Then the real fun begins in this journey of self-discovery that takes shocking and hilarious twists and turns.

Staff Review

All American Boys

By Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
Star Rating
★★★★★

Rated by Becky C.
Feb 1, 2016

All American Boys is a big-issue book that also makes an excellent character study. Rashad, a sixteen-year-old African-American boy, is the victim of police brutality. Quinn, a sixteen-year-old white boy, is a witness to Rashad's beating. These two guys live in the same city and go to the same school. Quinn plays on the same basketball team as some of Rashad's friends. And yet they barely know each other.

Staff Review

There Will Be Lies

By Nick Lake
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Chris K.
Dec 11, 2015

There will be two lies, [the coyote] says. Then there will be the truth. And that will be the hardest of all.

And what lies they are. Even more so, as the coyote promises, the lies exposed by the truth. Nothing will be the same.

Not ever.

And that's not even to mention the small surprises and little white lies along the way.

Staff Review

Eden West

By Pete Hautman
Star Rating
★★★★

Rated by Chris K.
Oct 22, 2015

I know that the World is a terrible place, filled with wild animals and evil men and wicked women.

Staff Review

Jellicoe Road

By Melina Marchetta

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Apr 13, 2015

I know this is a somewhat older title with a copyright of 2006, but I missed it back then and every year since. Why? Why did I wait SO long to read it? And why can I only give it five stars? I want to give it ten on scale of one to five!

Staff Review

The Half Life of Molly Pierce

By Katrina Leno

Rated by Library Staff (not verified)
Jan 3, 2015

Molly is driving back, but she doesn't know from where. And she doesn't know to where.  All she knows is that she should be in school, but she's in her car instead. Suddenly she sees a motorcycle speeding up behind her. Somehow she knows that he is coming for her. She passes through the intersection as the light turns red. The motorcycle keeps coming; it runs the red light. A truck enters the intersection, catching the back tire of the motorcycle, sending is spinning.  The rider flies through the air, over Molly's car and lands on the asphalt right in front of her. She brakes, screaming.

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