Review: Now Is Everything

Now Is Everything
by Amy Giles

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: November 7, 2017

NOW IS EVERYTHING by Amy Giles is a dark family drama that deals with abuse, love, and sisterhood. Protagonist Hadley is willing to do anything to protect her younger sister, Lila, from her violent father, but as the stakes increase, she senses she’s running out of time. I’m not going to say much more than that, because the book is, in some ways, a mystery. I enjoyed reading about Hadley and Lila’s relationship; it is incredibly genuine and heartbreaking how much they care about each other. Hadley also explores a forbidden romance with Charlie Simmons, who becomes her confidante and ally; I loved their relationship as well.

I generally lean towards dark material in my book choices, but the graphic violence in NOW IS EVERYTHING was a lot to handle even for me. Hadley is also suicidal at some points in the book, so readers should be conscious of this. Because of the suicidal themes, violence, and substance abuse, I would recommend this book for older teens.

Review: Dear Martin

Dear Martin
by Nic Stone

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 17, 2017

DEAR MARTIN by Nic Stone is a powerful, emotional story about the realities of entrenched racism in American society. The novel deals with themes of police brutality, privilege, and gang culture as protagonist Justyce McAllister struggles to come to terms with the ignorance in his community. I personally thought that this book was very eye-opening; the subject matter is incredibly relevant in today’s increasingly polarized society.

I was extremely emotionally invested in Justyce’s story; there were definitely some tear-jerking moments. I absolutely loved the character of Sarah Jane, Justyce’s outspoken, insanely intelligent debate partner who exemplifies allyship. This book felt extremely truthful and real, the writing was superb, and I honestly cannot think of a single friend I would not recommend this to. Derogatory racial slurs are used in this novel; there are also themes of violence and substance abuse, so I would recommend it for older teens.

Review: The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give
by Angie Thomas

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: February 28, 2017

Starr Carter watched in horror as the police shot her black friend Khalil three times during a routine stop. Khalil died at the scene. Weeks later, Starr would like nothing more than to be left to grieve in peace, but her nightmare is just beginning. As the only witness to the shooting, everyone—including the police—is eager for Starr to explain exactly what went down that night. To make matters worse, Starr needs to strike a delicate balance between the two worlds she lives in: While her friends at her rich, primarily white private high school sneer at Khalil as a “drug dealer”, her poor black neighborhood sees him as yet another victim of police brutality. How can she appease both sides? Is she brave enough to stand up for what is right? 
THE HATE U GIVE is a beautiful, touching, and witty story that confronts the issue of racism. I was captivated from the first page. The author, Angie Thomas, has an easy conversational style. The book will stay with you long after you finish. 

Review: The Incident On The Bridge

The Incident On The Bridge 

By Laura McNeal

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: April 26th,2016

Thisbe Locke was last seen standing by the side of the Coronado Bridge, leading to an inevitable conclusion--suicide. However, Thisbe’s sister Ted doubts this story, and sets out on a mission to figure out what really happened to Thisbe. THE INCIDENT ON THE BRIDGE by Laura McNeal is a novel that integrates mystery and suspense into a believable, highly developed storyline. I enjoyed this book not only because of the captivating writing style, but because of plot twists that make the story unpredictable. I also enjoyed that this book offered alternating perspectives between children and adults in the community, which provided an interesting contrast between the often angsty teenage perspectives and the more mature, less open-minded adult perspectives. This novel grappled with many issues that teenagers face today, such as romantic relationships and depression, while accurately capturing teenage perspectives on these issues. 

Review: This Is My Brain On Boys

This Is My Brain On Boys 

by Sarah Strohmeyer

Publisher: Harper Teen

Publication Date: May 10th, 2016

THIS IS MY BRAIN ON BOYS is about Addie Emerson, a senior in high school who doesn't believe in love, at least not for herself. She thinks she has figured out a scientific way to make people fall in love with each other, but then a mysterious boy comes into the picture and Addie's world is turned upside down. The book was a little confusing in itself because everything happened so fast, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. THIS IS MY BRAIN ON BOYS, was a pleasant surprise because I usually don't like books in this genre. I also enjoyed the straight to the point writing style. The plot was nicely developed with quite a few twists, which came at times you wouldn't expect them to. I recommend this to people who like warm and funny books. 

Review: The Way Back To You

The Way Back To You

by Michelle Andreani & Mindi Scott

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016 

THE WAY BACK TO YOU by Michelle Andreani & Mindi Scott is a story about grief and hope. The two main characters, Cloudy and Kyle are thrown into chaos when Ashlyn, Cloudy’s best friend and Kyle’s girlfriend, tragically loses her life in a bike accident. Ashlyn, a healthy young girl at her death, donated her organs to several individuals. Cloudy and Kyle are brought together in an attempt to get over their grief. When Cloudy discovers identifying information about the recipients of Ashlyn’s organs, she and Kyle set off to meet them, desperate to see what Ashlyn left behind.  Along the way, their relationship mends and tears, foreshadowed by indelible vacancy Ashlyn left in her wake. Their spontaneous journey across the Southwest brings out long buried feelings of regret, loss, and love.

Andreani and Scott do a wonderful job of portraying the two teenagers conflicting feelings of dread and contentment. Although this novel is a love story, it’s more than that. Both Cloudy and Kyle are given the same loss, but they deal with it in drastically different ways. Cloudy presses her feelings down, while Kyle falls apart. They are written with delicate detail, their stories continue to intertwine as the book progresses. Because view points change throughout the book, the reader has the ability to see the emotions of both characters easily. This story is about dealing with what life gives you, and accepting the truth even when it hurts. The authors also put a lot of thought into the journey their characters take. I found it especially interesting because they visited some areas that I’ve been able to experience for myself. The way that these different cities are described, gives the reader a vivid image that encompasses not only the scenery, but really the whole feeling of the city. I really enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it.

Review: Love & Gelato

Love & Gelato
By Jenna Evans Welch 

Publisher: Simon Pulse 
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016 

LOVE & GELATO by Jenna Evans Welch is an uplifting and light read that will restore your faith in love, friendship, and the power of dessert. Sixteen-year-old Lina has just begun recovering from her mother’s death when she is sent to live with her father, a man she has never met, who lives in a graveyard, in Italy. However, she soon discovers her mother’s journal, filled with glimpses into a past that Lina never knew existed. She also finds family, romance, and bakeries as she begins to explore not just her mother’s past, but herself, her future, and the beautiful country of Italy.
LOVE & GELATO is an absolutely wonderful read that gives contrast to the stampede of dark dystopian teenage fiction that seems to fill bookshelves these days. While it remains cheerful and funny throughout, there’s an element of depth to it, but it’s written without feeling heavy handed or overly moralistic. I genuinely enjoyed both the plot and the characters and loved watching both develop throughout the story. The descriptions of the setting are equally enrapturing; the author’s attention to detail adds another dimension to the novel. I really appreciated taking the time to read this book and I highly recommend it.

Review: Tell Me Three Things

Tell Me Three Things 
By Julie Buxbaum

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 5th, 2016 

TELL ME THREE THINGS is about a girl named Jessie who has just moved to L.A to live with her dad after her mom's death. Jessie continues to deal with the death of her mother as she adjusts to a new family and school. When SN (Somebody/Nobody), an anonymous student, offers to help Jessie at her new school, she accepts and eventually befriends SN. While parts of this book were predictable, it was not too cliché and it was still enjoyable. Jessie is a smart, sincere, and realistic character that makes her relatable and likeable. There's also a fun cast of characters adding a sense of lightness and humor to the story. It's pretty easy to guess who SN would be but there's still a slight suspense by the end to confirm who they are. I would recommend this to readers that enjoy contemporary fiction, and want to read a sweet, heart-warming story, also for fans of Stephanie Perkins. 

Review: The Last Boy and Girl In The World

The Last Boy and Girl In The World 

by Siobhan Vivian 

Publisher: Simon and Shuster 

Publication Date: April 26, 2016 

In THE LAST BOY AND GIRL IN THE WORLD, Keeley Hewitt lives in a net of carefully structured relationships with her friends, parents, and school. When her home town of Aberdeen begins to flood, it feels like the end of the world for everyone. Then Jesse, Keeley’s long time crush, begins to take an interest in her. Drastic times may call for drastic measures, but Keeley decides that rather than wait for the ending, she would make a new one. When pieces begin to click together, and fall apart, Keeley rapidly loses her grip on what is true, and what’s just for show.

This book starts innocently enough. Keeley hangs out with her friends, flirts with a boy, and fusses over dresses for the formal, but as the story evolves, Keeley’s world begins to collapse around her. Although this book seems like a simple, coming-of-age story, around three quarters of the way through, the tone darkens, and the reader can see the full-blown damage of Keeley’s mistakes. This book is definitely more than meets the eye. It also has many sweet components to it. Keeley is able to maintain a light, cheery disposition, and cracks more than a few jokes throughout the novel. Overall, this book is a page turner and I enjoyed it immensely, and I would recommend it.

Review: Twenty Questions For Gloria

Twenty Questions For Gloria

By Martyn Bedford

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books

Publication Date: April 12th, 2016

In TWENTY QUESTIONS FOR GLORIA, the funny, confident, and smart Uman transfers to unadventurous Gloria’s school, they are immediately drawn to each other. With Uman’s glum past and Gloria’s new desire for adventure, they start to hang out more often. Then one day, Uman and Gloria decide to run away together. After fifteen days of being missing, Gloria comes back but Uman does not and the entire country is wondering: Where did Gloria go? TWENTY QUESTIONS FOR GLORIA is a spontaneous mystery-thriller with a YA contemporary love twist. Gloria’s naive character and Uman’s love for adventure makes them very relatable to young adults. Bedford’s intricate characters and quirky dialogue draws us in from the very start. This ‘Bonnie and Clyde’-esque book is perfect for teenage fans of GONE GIRL.

Review: Zero Day

Zero Day 
By Jan Gangsei

Publication Date: January 12, 2016

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion 

ZERO DAY, by Jan Gangsei, is suspenseful to the core, with plenty of action.  Gangsei intertwines modern day politics with the haunted and mysterious past of the President, Mark Webster. His daughter, Addie, disappeared eight years ago, and she reappears at a strange time.  This thriller of a book kept me constantly anxious, waiting to see what happens next. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, action, and page turning suspense.

Review: The Possibility of Now

The Possibility of Now 
by Kim Culbertson


Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Point 

THE POSSIBILITY OF NOW tells the story of Mara, a high school junior who becomes over whelmed and disillusioned with her high pressure, overly academic school.  After having a break down in math class, which consequently goes viral, she decides she needs to leave.  She moves from San Diego to live in Lake Tahoe with her biological father, Trip. There, she discovers the freedom of the mountains.  She learns how to ski, and develops close relationships with those around her.  She learns there is more to Trip than it seems, discovers the meaning of true friendship and the possibility of romance. I really enjoyed this book.  I feel like it will be easy for any high school student to connect with the overwhelming academic pressure and worry about college.  This book does a great job of mixing more serious topics and relationships with humor.

Review: The Year We Fell Apart

The Year We Fell Apart 
by Emily Martin

Publication Date: January 26th, 2016
Publisher: Simon Pulse 

In this contemporary novel, Harper faces challenges as she learns about her mom’s cancer diagnosis and the return of her best friend Declan, who she had a falling out with a year prior. As much as they try to avoid each other, their lives end up intertwining. Filled with confusing emotions, Harper acts differently, and more destructively than her usual self. Like a lot of teenagers, she learns from her experiences and ends up trying her best to make up for past mistakes. If you're a sucker for best friend romances, second chances, and a Sarah Dessen-esque plot, THE YEAR WE FELL APART is the book for you. 

Review: Not If I See You First

Not If I See You First 

by Eric Lindstrom 

Publication Date: December 1, 2015

Publisher: Poppy Books 

There are a lot of great books that have the ability to completely take me out of my everyday life and transport me to another world entirely. But every so often I'll come across a rare book that gives me a whole new perspective on my own reality even after I've finished reading it. NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST did just that. It is the story of Parker Grant, a girl who loves to run. Not unlike other high school students, her sport is the one thing she can count on while she faces a number of other problems. Struggling to maintain her childhood friendships, figuring out impossibly complicated boys, and making it through family hardships; all things many people might deal with, yet for Parker one thing is drastically different --she's blind.  Lindstrom does a great job of giving the reader a true sense of the world Parker is living in, by enabling us to experience it the way she would; without any sense of sight or visual descriptions. The power of this book for me lies in the fact that I felt I knew each and every character in the story so well; all the layers of their personality and who they truly were. And yet I had never been given a single physical description of them. I recommend this book for anyone, and I promise you will take away from it more than just an incredibly moving story, but also a new way to look at the world and everyone around you.

Review: Need

Need by Joelle Charbonneau

Publication Date: November 3rd, 2015

Publisher: Harcourt Brace and Company

NEED is a story about how achieving’s one desires is not always worth the consequences, even if it seems like the right decision at the time. Written through the perspectives of teenagers attending the same high school, it follows the rise of an anonymous social media that allows people to complete tasks, often felonious, to be rewarded with an item of their choice, anywhere from a new laptop to an A in a class. The story mainly revolves around Kaylee, a teenage girl in desperate need of a new kidney for her terminally ill brother. However, she soon discovers becomes suspicious of this website and embarks on a dangerous, death-filled, hunt for the truth. This book is extremely unique in its concept, but could have been carried out a bit better. The end of the book was not foreshadowed at at all throughout the story and seemed a bit random and disappointing. Overall, this was an exciting story that kept me on the edge of my seat and I would probably read it again.

Review: For The Record

For The Record  
by Charlotte Huang

Publication date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Press


FOR THE RECORD captures Chelsea’s journey as she suddenly stumbles into stardom. We see her deal with friendship, new and old, and the effects of fame. Chelsea isn’t a perfect character and makes mistakes that were easily relatable, which made the book all the more real. The dynamic of her band and the relationships she had to build was what really drove the book home. I would recommend this to readers that are looking for a sweet but realistic contemporary novel. 

Review: The Girl With The Wrong Name

The Girl With The Wrong Name

By Barnabas Miller 

Publication Date: November 3rd, 2015 

Publisher: Soho Teen 

Theo Lane, an aspiring filmmaker, spends her days wandering around New York City with a hidden camera. One day, Andy Reese walks into her frame and immediately becomes her new project. Soon Theo finds herself trying to help this “Lost Boy” find Sarah, a girl he fell in love 3 days earlier. But as Andy pulls Theo into his perilous and confusing world, Theo starts to loose sight on what’s real and what’s just fantasy.

This eerie physiological thriller will have you staying up into the wee hours of the morning trying to finish it. Although this book starts off as an innocent and quirky YA story, it slowly becomes a thrilling, mind-bending novel. Just as soon as you think you know what’s going on, Miller throws plot twist after plot twist in this mystery. Perfect for all fans of mystery/thriller. 

Review: Orbiting Jupiter

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt 

Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Publisher: Clarion Books

ORBITING JUPITER is a thoughtfully written, compelling realistic fiction novel with emphasis on familial love. Protagonist Jack describes the changes to his life as his family adopts Joseph, a 14-year old previously imprisoned for almost killing a teacher. But Jack learns that people are not always what they seem. He slowly gets the quiet and reserved Joseph to open up about his secrets. Joseph is determined to find his daughter, Jupiter, whom he has never seen. Jack joins in the search, and together the two boys encounter many characters determined to keep Joseph from his goal. Although the plot at times is far fetched, the characters are completely believable because of the author’s authentic voice.  Throughout the plot, complex minor characters come in to play, making the story unpredictable and entertaining. While this is not exactly a fast paced read, it is very well written realistic fiction with enough dramatic moments to keep the reader engaged. 

Review: The Rest Of Us Just Live Here

The Rest Of Us Just Live Here
by Patrick Ness

Publication Date: October 6, 2015 
Publisher:  Harper Teen

THE REST OF US JUST LIVE HERE, is an extremely unique book that follows a group of kids who are not  "the chosen ones". They are just your normal, average teenagers, who happen to live in a town where exciting and freaky paranormal things happen. What I really loved about this book was the characters. They were beautifully developed and entirely realistic. They all had so many layers and distinctive qualities to them, ranging from LGBTQ aspects to mental illness. Although this book does have some fantasy/paranormal influences, this book mainly is character driven, and I would totally recommend it to someone who normally doesn't love fantasy.

Review: First & Then

First & Then by Emma Mills

Publication Date: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company 

Sweet and plain adorable, FIRST & THEN is a book that just makes you happy and smile. This book was more character driven than plot driven. What made this book different from other contemporary books was Foster, the protagonist Devon's cousin, and type of relationship they had. Foster really helped Devon grow and Devon (and Ezra) helped Foster adjust better. Each character has their flaws which makes them all the more relatable and realistic. FIRST & THEN was full of revelations and a short, light read. I would recommend this to all contemporary lovers. I'll definitely be looking out for other books by Emma Mills.