Teen and Staff Reviews

Summary:

Princess Jaya Rao, heiress to the Indian Kingdom has long upheld her duties as the

eldest daughter in a brown household. The weight of responsibility she carries on her

shoulders that she has taken upon herself is weighing her down. The only thing in world

that she wants in this world is to make her family happy and prove to be a dutiful

daughter. She finds out she will be attending St. Rosetta’s Academy for boarding

school, however, Grey Emerson happens to attend here as well. The Emerson family

Woodsong is an autobiography by Gary Paulsen. In this book, Paulsen recounts the moments in

nature that helped him to realize just how much of an influence nature has shaped him into who

he is. In the first half of the book, Paulsen recalls what inspired him to race in the Iditarod. His

dogs become his family, especially Storm, his favorite dog. He also explores some of the things

The Outsiders by Francis Ford Coppola is a classic coming-of-age movie. In this movie,

Ponyboy finds himself caught up in the middle of a few too many conflicts. Ponyboy is a

greaser, and being a greaser isn’t easy. He knows he can depend on his brothers, Darry and

Sodapop, and the gang. He also knows not to trust the socs. When Ponyboy’s friend, Johnny,

kills a soc in self-defense, the two boys are forced to go on the run with the help of Dally. Being

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a historical fiction book that takes place during World War II.

This book is told from four perspectives. Each is hunted by guilt, fate, shame, and fear. Each is

from a different homeland. Each is in search of a different destiny. But, they all share the same

goal: survive for those you love. Joana is a nurse in search of her mother. Florian is a Prussian

Fantastic Beasts and the Secrets of Dumbledore was a complete letdown. It felt rushed and

messy as many of the characters weren’t even in the movie despite being in previous Fantastic

Beasts movies. Such as Nagini, who was supposed to be in love with Credence, was

completely missing, and where was Tina? The action was also very debatable since the only

good duel we had was between Dumbledore and Credence. But the most baffling and

Divergent is about a girl named Betrice Prior who lives in a society made up of 5

groups that will determine which group she will be apart of for the rest of her life.

Beatrice learns she is classified as Divergent, but she cannot tell anyone. She joins a

group but only the top 10 can stay. Tris (later on changing her name as well) realizes

there are many challenges to face, and that she must obey to keep herself alive.

The Selection is about a teenager named America Singer who is entered into a

contest to see which girl can become the prince’s bride. But America wants nothing to

do with it, she wants to be with her love, Aspen, who cannot provide for her. He is a

caste lower than her and is worried she needs someone else who can take care of her.

America is sad but as she meets Prince Maxwell, she starts falling in love with him. He

Monday’s Not Coming is about Claudia, a girl who is the only one who cares about

where her best friend, Monday, disappeared. Claudia, coming back from summer break,

was looking forward to seeing Monday, but Monday never shows up. School, church,

her own home, nowhere to be seen. Whenever Claudia asks for answers, no one

seems concerned and tells her to mind her own business. But Claudia is concerned that

Unleashed, by Sophie Jordan, is a novel about a girl named Davy Hamilton, who is

diagnosed with HTS, Homicidal Tendency Syndrome. Everyone ghosts her; her family,

boyfriend, and even her best friend. Davy is unsure of who she is anymore even when

she is shipped off to a place with teens just like her. She and her friends, Sean, Sabine,

and Gil, attempt to escape to find a better life. But then she gets separated from them

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is the sixth book in the Harry Potter series and

is written by J.K. Rowling. In this entry, humanity (both the muggle and the wizard sides of it) is

in despair. The Ministry of Magic (led by a new minister) fully accepts that Voldemort is back for

good and are even informing some of the powerful muggle leaders about the danger that the

world faces. Tragedies and killings are daily occurrences now, and wizards and muggles alike