friendship

Caitlin is a popular teenage girl living in the United States, living a very comfortable lifestyle. Martin is a poor teenage boy living in the bush of Zimbabwe in South Africa. Caitlin gets an assignment at school to write to a pen pal. She ends up with Martin. Martin is the top of his class and is the only one at his school who gets a pen pal from America. They learn more and more about each other and their very different lifestyles. They create an unbreakable bond and have the adventure of a lifetime together.

This book is unforgettable. It opened my mind to see how the world is such a

All American Boys is told from the perspectives of Rashad Butler and Quinn Collins. The story revolves around Rashad getting beaten by police after being suspected of robbery. Both characters struggle with the aftermath of being the victim and witnessing police brutality. Normally I don't opt to read books with more than one perspective, but I genuinely enjoyed reading the stories of Rashad and Quinn. The authors do a great job distinguishing which character the story is being told from. The two perspectives are wonderfully intertwined and complement each other well, never taking away from the

Told through the point of view of Death, we follow a young German girl named Liesel. She is living in the midst of World War II in Germany, the heart of the Nazi regime. After stealing her very first book, she finds comfort in the words and develops a passion for reading and learning. However, soon her life is put into danger when her parents decide to hide a Jew, the once thought of enemy.

I really enjoyed this book because it is told through Death’s perspective. They basically make Death a person, which is something you don’t see often. Even though this takes place during depressing times

The story of love, heartbreak, betrayal, and reunion between the two main characters, Connell and Marianne. Told over the course of a few years, readers follow their journey through high school and college as they navigate their ever-changing relationship. I really wanted to like this book. After everything I had heard about Sally Rooney, I had high expectations for this book, and unfortunately, I feel like it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Normally I am a big fan of romance, but this one just didn’t cut it for me. It was pretty boring most of the time, and a lot of chapters seemed to drag

The Lonely Dead is a thrilling and wondrous mystery novel by April Henry. This book is about a girl named Adele who can see the dead. Adele's grampa takes her to the psychiatrist and the psychiatrist told her that she has a disease where she could see things that weren't there. One day she finds her ex-best friend (Tori) calling out to her and pleading for her to tell her parents that she is dead. When Tori’s body is reported to the police, they lead an investigation to figure out who murdered Tori. I love the way the author puts hooks in every chapter and page, I didn’t want to put it down at

Even If We Break is a book about a group of friends who are drifting apart that decide to go back to their old roots of roleplaying. But then weird things start to happen that leave some of them farther apart or closer together.

Even If We Break was enjoyable, but it was hard to get through. I give it a 3 out of 5. The action happens at the end of the book and the beginning and middle of it is all build-up. Once the action started it was more fun to read, but I had already guessed what was going to happen. There is great representation in this book and multiple different perspectives though

Two boys named Mateo and Rufus have the rest of the day to do whatever they please to do in the short remainder of their lives. They both want to figure out where their lives go and what they are going to pursue in the future. But when they are told they are going to die today by the Death-cast they become stuck. When they end up finding each other and go on these emotional and adventurous activities together and build a connection. When it comes down to their last moments together will they truly die or not?

This book had me on the tip of my chair and made me keep wanting to read. This

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is an exotic and lovable fantasy novel by J.K. Rowling. This book is about a prisoner named Sirius Black who escaped Azkaban (wizarding prison). Everyone believes that Sirius is after Harry because they think Sirius was under Voldemort. Harry, Ron, and Hermione find out what Sirius black was after. I love the way Sirius and Harry get along after they find out the truth after Harry’s parents’ deaths. I recommend this book to anyone who is currently reading the Harry Potter series or willing to try something new. That is why I rate Harry Potter and the

While trying to drive back to her home, Rose Colter gets stuck in the Nevada Desert. Suddenly, her radio starts playing her deceased friend’s voice. She decides to follow a light that leads her to the town of Lotus Valley. There she discovers that she will cause a flood in three days due to a prophecy. Does Rose stop the flood? What will happen next? Read more to find out!

There are many dark themes in this book. There are themes of PTSD, grief, and panic attacks. This book is very well written, it was hard to put down, and contained realistic scenarios revolving mental health. The main

Kate and Anderson are best friends that do many things together and share many memories together.  They both also share many crushes together, but then Matt Olsen, one of their crushes, suddenly shows up at their theatre rehearsals. Their relationship isn’t the only thing at stake.

I enjoyed how the author has formed the dynamic of Kate and Anderson’s friendship. I also like the plot of the story; it may seem kind of cheesy or cliché, but it did stir up some emotions in me. The one thing I don’t like is how the author kept the same repeating words over and over again. Maybe the author was

Amy Larsen traditionally spends her summers with her best friend Teddy and her cousin Ben in River Run, located in Kentucky. As tension brews between Teddy and Amy, they are suddenly met with a tragic situation. Teddy’s sister has suddenly disappeared, now all three must depend on each other to solve the case; and save Teddy’s sister.

Although I have read many investigation stories, I have not read a book about three teens trying to solve a disappearance. The story makes you think in such a way, that you get hooked with each page being turned. This story features more topics than missing

When Miho’s boyfriend unexpectedly breaks up with her, she is miserable.  In order to get away from the stress of college and break-ups, she decides to participate in a triathlon. With support from her family and friends, she will undergo tough training in order to prepare herself. She gains mental and physical strength with every step she takes.

This book has strong themes of family and friendship. I like that Miho gains strength from the people around her, and she builds a reliable support system from this. The book definitely has some great lessons in it. I learned that sometimes

Calliope Silversmith is a 17 year old girl who lives in Pennsylvania town. She is used to living in the woods, having two moms, and having two friends, Ginger and Noah. She has always wondered who her sperm donor was, until a boy named Max moves into the old house across from them. After spending time with Max, she realizes that it’s nice to know someone new. Then Calliope finds out that Max’s father is her sperm donor.  She is utterly shocked and she reevaluates her friendship with Max.

The title for The People We Choose is a very good fit for the story. In the book, Calliope comes to

The Sword and the Dagger is an epic novel set during the time of the Crusades. Princess Elaine of Tripoli is betrothed to Prince Conrad of Antioch, but she cannot stand the idea of being married to a young man as imperious and sententious as him. Meanwhile, Conrad insists that the marriage must occur in order to unite their Christian kingdoms against enemies lurking east of their home. However, Rashid, a Muslim assassin, is ordered to kill Elaine. In a poorly attempted assassination, Rashid is caught and thrown in the dungeons, but Elaine demands he explain why he tried to murder her. When she

One of Us is Next, Karen M. McManus’s sequel to One of Us is Lying, begins when a mysterious person creates a game of Truth or Dare to reignite Simon’s gossip legacy. The goal of the game is to force Bayview High students to either complete a dangerous dare or face the exposure of one of their deep secrets. Maeve, Bronwyn’s younger sister; Knox, Maeve’s best friend; and Phoebe, the first target of Bayview’s new threat, somehow find themselves working together to solve the mystery of who is behind the game, and why they would ever try to bring back something that triggers so many students’ bad

Join friends Alex and Anthony in a long journey that forces them to face their feelings. In a small town where basic necessities were taken away, lives Alex and her best friend Anthony. Alex, having her own regrets about family, decides to help Anthony find his mom. As they both walk ten miles to the next town over, they come across some unusual sights. This book is full of raw emotion and friendship, perfect for those who want a glimpse of reality.

This book is perfect for those who want a mix of fiction, and realness. I love how this book takes a deep dive into the thoughts and feelings

Yunjae lived his whole life wondering what it was like to be “ordinary”. Diagnosed with alexithymia at a young age, Yunjae never felt or understood human emotions. Despite his mom’s efforts to teach him, no Post-it note could ever truly turn him into the “normal” kid she wanted.

However, after witnessing a terrible incident on Christmas Eve — which is also his birthday — he had only himself to rely on. Or so he thought.

After the incident, Yunjae meets new people like Gon, the new troublemaker in school. Although opposites of each other, the two unordinary teens form an unexpected

If you are looking for an adventure, mystery, and friendship book, this is the book that you are looking for. Notorious is an amazing book about Keenan and ZeeBee who investigate how ZeeBee’s dog was murdered by a person who tried to break into her house. ZeeBee believes that there is treasure on the island that one person wants for themselves. Keenan does not believe it as much as she does but he goes along with it and they become friends. They investigate who killed ZeeBee’s dog when someone entered her house and they then look for the treasure. This book is not only a murder mystery but an

This book is by far better than Ungifted, in my opinion. I liked how Donovan was one of the main characters in this book but I really liked how they switched the role and made Noah the second main character. In my mind I thought if Gordon Korman was going to make a second book Donovan would be the main character but it was surprising how Noah got to be a main character in this book more than he was in Ungifted. Supergifted is about how Donovan saved a family and he could not take the credit for it so then Noah took the credit for it and thought he was helping Donovan. Overtime that got to Noah

Level 13 is an amazing book and sequel to the original Slacker novel. I loved the original novel and wondered if Gordan Korman was ever going to make another book about Cameron Boxer. I was confused when I heard the name “Level 13” but when I read the book I understood more about how level 13 in a video game in the book was a big mystery and how it was weird when we found out what was the disastrous thing that was placed into that level that made it banned in many states. The storyline was amazing and the way the book taught people how they should never get hooked into streaming a video game

Scott Ferdowski has trouble sticking with his passions. He’s smart, but lacks commitment, despite the variety of activities his high-achieving parents sign him up for. So when they leave town at the start of his summer vacation, Scott spontaneously decides to ditch his internship and become a bit more “gritty.” As his summer progresses, Scott meets a crossword-obsessed college student, a brilliant professor, and a cast of other characters. Through it all, he explores his newfound freedom, ultimately gaining perspective about his own life.

Scott’s first-person perspective offers a humorous

Iris is a twelve-year-old girl who was born deaf. She loves fixing radios and she loves her Grandma and Grandpa. Iris learned about a whale in school. Its name is Blue 55, and it sings songs but not one replies. Iris feels how hard it would be for no one to reply to what they say, because that is what happens to her, because she is deaf. Iris talks to a scientist who is studying about Blue 55 and trying to tag Blue 55. Iris talks with her and asks if Blue 55 is deaf. The scientist said that they already tested that and Blue 55 is not deaf. Then, Iris comes up with an idea to help Blue 55 know

Seventeen-year-old Chloe Russell deals with her drastically different life after her heart transplant through learning to surf from Kai, whom she might be crushing on just a little bit. Meanwhile, she has to survive summer school and is being plagued by a recurring dream about an accident and people she's never seen before.      
 
I thought Chloe and Jane's friendship was the best part of this book. Sure, Jane may not have been the best influence but they really balanced each other out and it was nice to see Chloe let go a little bit. It really hurt when they were arguing but I'm glad

Elizabeth Berg’s The Story of Arthur Truluv (2017) is a realistic fiction novel telling the interweaving stories of Maddy Harris, Arthur “Truluv” Moses, and Lucille Howard. One day, while Maddy is visiting the cemetery to escape her school lunchroom, she runs into Arthur, who is visiting his wife’s grave; they become fast friends and join forces to combat their loneliness –Maddy’s from the estrangement of her father and boyfriend and Arthur’s from the death of his wife. Lucille, Arthur’s next-door neighbor, soon meets Maddy, and the three come together and form a chosen family while they all

Donovan Curtis is not what you call “gifted.” However, his genius friend, Noah Youkilis, is Supergifted, with one of the highest IQs. After spending many years at the Academy for Scholastic Distinction, Noah looks for the chance to fail and to become normal. He lands at Donovan’s school and finds himself in trouble with cheerleading captain Megan Mercury and jock Hash “Hashtag” Taggart. Donovan sticks up for Noah but gets caught in his own feud and has to stay away from Hashtag. Noah believes that Donovan was mistreated and goes to Hashtag’s house to give Hashtag a piece of his mind. Donovan

The book switches between perspectives of two different, yet alike, characters forcing you to look at the situation from multiple perspectives. It is a book dedicated to those who are often pushed to the side in today’s world, and shows that we are all more alike than one might think, and that you should not judge others based on only what you’ve heard.

The most compelling aspect of the book to me was the underlying mystery mixed with the two teens who were drawn to each other. As they were learning about one another, one was very truthful, while the other claimed to be deceitful- yet still

This book explains issues many teens have today in a very realistic way. It helped me understand that I'm not necessarily the only person who's had a friend just completely turn around and change on them. It also deals with somebody trying to grasp somebody's gender identity which is unfortunately something many people still don't understand. Everything was explained in just the right way and the book was absolutely incredible. 

I loved the cover! I think the bows on the cover plus one of them being cut in half perfectly represented what was going to happen in the book.

The most

It’s a little hard to miss all the pink and red hearts present in every retail space right now, the ads for sparkly jewelry, and displays of roses and flowers, but let’s take a few minutes to honor another February holiday: Galentine’s Day, which falls on the 13th of the month.

For those unacquainted with the wonderful show Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s Day is a holiday invented by star Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, a dedicated public servant and unabashed supporter of all her friends. As she describes it, “Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our

Adventures with two boys a girl and a whole lot of dinosaurs. Sky and Shawn just escaped from the North Compound to find more information on Sky's dad, they meet tons of dinosaurs and a new friend Todd on the way who has been living topside since the pandemic.

The perfect book if you are into adventure and excitement.

If you like Percy Jackson, or the Runaway King series you'll love this one. Ages ten through 14.

This is the story of a young woman whose wit and charm are her ticket to a privileged life. She constantly reinvents herself and changes identity as she crisscrosses the world. There might have been a murder, or maybe 2. There could be a bad romance, or maybe 3. She refuses to give people what they want from her, and refuses to be the person she once was.

I was incredibly confused for almost the entire book. In only about the last 50 pages did anything make sense. This book had so many time frames, it told small stories from years ago, weeks ago, months ago, and the present. It switched so