Grief
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.31, 2015, under Grief, Real life, Romance, Student Reviews, Teen Top 10, YRCA
Review by Gracie B.
Who would like this book? Someone 12 and older who likes sad but well-written books and is ready to cry would like this book. Also, if you like romantic or realistic books.
The goods on this book: This book is about a 16-year-old girl named Hazel who is battling cancer in her lungs. Her mom and her doctor make her go to a support group where she meets Augustus Waters and falls madly in love with him. The book follows their journey together. I really liked the book and will most likely read it again. I also think that John Green is a very good writer, and I hope to read another book of his. Although this book is very sad, you should read it. I thought I would be crying for hours. It is not that sad, but you still might cry a little. You should definitely read this if you like romantic, realistic books. So, next time you are looking for a book, read this one!!!
The details: 318 pages; 2012 Review by Gracie B.
One White Dolphin by Gill Lewis
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.09, 2015, under Adventure, Environment, Grief, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Sophie U.
Who would like this book? People who would like this book are people who like the ocean and dolphins.
The goods on this book: Kara is a girl who loves the ocean. When she realizes that fishers are going to tear up the her reef, she thinks there is nothing she can do to save it. Then a dolphin washes up on shore, tangled in fish nets. She begins to realize that she can do something. With the help of Felix, a strange new boy, Kara might just be able to save the reef. If Kara can save the reef, she will still feel connected to her mother, who disappeared. This book is very fun and exciting.
The details: 338 pages; 2012
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.26, 2015, under Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Detective/Spy, Grief, Mystery, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Kennedy H.
Who would like this book? I think both genders would enjoy this book very much. Ages 11-13 or 14 would probably like this book the most. Also, people who like action fiction that has some plot twists to it would like this book a lot!
The goods on this book: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is a great book! It’s set in present-day New York and is about two best friends, Jeremy Fink and Lizzie Muldoun. Lizzie is an outgoing girl who is willing to do anything to get what she wants. Jeremy likes staying in his comfort zone, staying safe, and collecting candy. They’re searching for the four missing keys to the box Jeremy’s deceased father gave to him. The problem is, he doesn’t know where to look for them. Jeremy and Lizzie search all over New York and meet a lot of new people and do a lot of new things that they had no idea they would do! I think this book was really good and kept me wanting to read more. Wendy Mass is a fantastic author, and this is another one of her great books!
The details: 289 pages; 2006 Review by Kennedy H.
Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.22, 2014, under Grief, Student Reviews, Supernatural, Thriller
Review by Anne H.
Who would like this book? This a book for the dark at heart.
The goods on this book: This book is about a girl named Hanna. She likes the not so bad “bad boy” of her school. She watches her little sister Arial. She’s also haunted by the ghost of her deceased best friend who knows how to connect a bunch of brutal murders. Now these deceased victims are reaching out to Hanna from behind the grave. Once they give Hanna enough clues, she knows who it is. Hanna receives her own paper valentine. Is she strong enough to save her sister and take on the Valentine’s Day killer? You tell me. Do yourself a service and read this tale of beauty, love, and heart-shattering sadness.
The details: 304 pages; 2013 Review by Anne H.
Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Sep.09, 2014, under Grief, Real life, Sam's Reviews, Teen Top 10
Who would like this book? People, 13 and up, looking for a first person narration dealing with a teen’s suicide and the reasons for it would appreciate this book.
The goods on this book: Clay Jensen is a quiet, shy high school student and has been disturbed by the suicide of his friend, Hannah. He becomes distraught and obsessed when he unwraps a package of cassette tapes of Hannah recording the story that led to her decision to take her own life. As Clay listens to the tapes, he navigates through their town so that he can listen to each part of Hannah’s story in close physical proximity to where it took place. The book alternates between the text of Hannah’s voice from the tapes and Clay’s reaction as he listens to these tapes. Clay had a crush on Hannah and shared an evening with her shortly before she died, so the experience of the tapes is very hard for this sensitive guy. My heart really went out to him even more than Hannah. The strong message of this book, to see other people for who they truly are and to care for one another, comes through to the reader as it comes through to Clay. Though this book might not be the best for understanding suicide, it is important in showing how a steady stream of difficulties and hurts can push a person such as Hannah over the edge. It is tragic that she has nobody to turn to.
The details: 288 pages; 2007 Review by Samrarian
Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Aug.26, 2014, under Bullying, Grief, Real life, Sam's Reviews
Who would like this book? Readers, grades 5 and up, who like books with a first person narrator about friendship and overcoming odds, and who do not mind some sadness.
The goods on this book: Freak the Mighty, an amazing story of friendship, is told from the point of view of Maxwell Kane. Max has had a rough life and it shows in how he sees himself. He lives with his grandparents, Grim and Gram, because his father is in prison for having killed his mother. When the book begins, Max doesn’t seem to have anything going his way. He has a room in the basement where he hides his large frame and is apologetic about his lack of brain power. Then, Kevin moves in next door and everything changes for Max. Kevin, or “Freak,” has a serious birth defect that has prevented him from growing and caused him to walk with crutches. What Freak lacks in physical size, he makes up for in brain power and zest for life. He zeroes in on Max and together, with Freak on Max’s shoulders, they become “Freak the Mighty.” Their adventures, patterned after King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, are truly worth reading and make a significant impact on Max (and this reader). It’s great when they take on the bullies. Some of the minor characters are not completely believable, but this gripe is a minor one in light of the rich depth in the characters of Max and Freak. Originally published 21 years ago, this book holds up as a relevant and worthwhile read.
This book is a 2014-15 Battle of the Book selection.
The details: 1993; 169 pages Review by Samrarian
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.13, 2014, under Grief, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Mazzy N.
Who would like this book? Most girls would read this book but it is also for boys. I would say 12+ because of the language and the genre is romantic, emotional, and it is a book that would make you cry.
The goods on this book: Hazel Grace Lancaster is a girl with terminal cancer and has to have a canister of oxygen with her at all times. Her parents decided that she would go to a weekly support group that Hazel didn’t want to go to. When she is there, she meets Augustus Waters (Gus) who had lost a leg to bone cancer. They end up becoming friends and share a love with a book called An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. The thing about this book is that the character Anna dies in mid sentence and so does the book. Hazel and Gus are on a mission to find out the mystery of how the book really ends. Along the way they become in love, and they think that nothing could break them apart. I loved this book because it had great detail. It is also now one of my favorites. I would definitely recommend this book beacuse I know that you guys would love it.
The details: 318 pages; 2012 Review by Mazzy N.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.13, 2014, under Grief, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Hailey H.
Who would like this book? Personally, I think that anyone would like it. I don’t think it’s really girly; it’s just right and I even know of a boy who read it and loved it.
The goods on this book: The Fault in Our Stars is a book about two young cancer survivors who fall in love. Augustus Waters and Hazel Lancaster meet through a Support Group and soon become inseparable. Hazel’s always been the sickest person in the room, but she’s used to it. So when she meets Augustus Waters, who is just like her, she can’t help but fall for him. Hazel and Augustus can relate to each other through their experiences with cancer. Once Hazel shows Augustus the book she’s obsessed with, The Imperial Affliction,” she gets him hooked as well, leading the two to bond over it. The Fault in Our Stars might seem depressing and it kind of is, but it’s also one of the sweetest books I’ve ever read.
The details: 318 pages; 2012 Review by Hailey H.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.07, 2014, under Grief, Real life, Romance, Student Reviews
Review by Mengmei C.
Who would like this book? I would say girls would like this book, and guys would like it just as much. It’s really romantic, sad, and happy, with a ton of emotions which will make you cry.
The goods on this book: Hazel Grace Lancaster is a girl who has terminal cancer in her lungs and must use an oxygen container. Her mother made her attend a support group she really isn’t interested in, and she meets a boy named Augustus Waters. Augustus has bone cancer, which made him lose a leg. Quickly becoming friends, they share a ton of common interests and one thing they love is this book called An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. The two of them try to find the mystery of what happens at the end of the book, and what will happen during the journey of getting there? Their relationship soon grows, and so do the emotions in the book. John Green has made this book really realistic, and I promise you’ll enjoy this book.
The details: 318 pages; 2012 Review by Mengmei C.
One Of Those Hideous Books Where The Mother Dies by Sonya Sones
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.06, 2014, under Grief, Real life, Romance, Student Reviews
Review by Erin J.
Who would like this book? I think that if you like books that have lifetime events and romance, then you would like this book. Honestly, I think that most girls would prefer this book more than guys.
The goods on this book: This book is about a girl named Ruby and her mother dies which ends up making her move to L.A, California. She moves in with her FAMOUS dad (His name is Whip Logan.) She doesn’t even know him at all because he had left her when she was born. She had to leave her Aunt Duffy, her best friend Lizzie, and her boyfriend Ray. Although in this book Ruby is having a hard time, she will find her way through it. She meets and makes new friends at her new school. She finds out various news about certain people, like what happens with her boyfriend and what happened between her dad and her mom.
The details: 268 pages; 2004 Review by Erin J.
