Review: Broken Things

Broken Things
by Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 2, 2018

BROKEN THINGS by Lauren Oliver follows ex-best friends Mia and Brynn as they reconnect five years after the murder of their best friend, Summer. Mia and Brynn were the prime suspects in Summer’s death at the time, but are determined to solve the case years later and prove themselves innocent. The pair decides to dig into their past in order to do this, and the story alternates between their time in high school and the present. BROKEN THINGS was actually more like two books than one: the novel itself, and another story that is twisted into the girls’ relationships and Summer’s death. I loved how this collision between fiction and reality and the connection between past and present heightened the story’s eerie tone. While the actual mystery aspect of the novel seemed predictable at times, the dynamics and tension between Brynn, Summer, and Mia kept me engaged in the story. Overall, BROKEN THINGS is an excellent choice for fans of Oliver, and for readers looking for a captivating thriller.

Review: Notes From My Captivity

Notes From My Captivity
by Kathy Parks

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: July 10, 2018

In Kathy Parks’ NOTES FROM MY CAPTIVITY, aspiring journalist Adrienne Cahill embarks on a journey into the Siberian wilderness with her stepfather Dan to search for the Osinovs: a family of Russian hermits Dan has been researching for years. Adrienne and the rest of the world believe Dan has made up this family, and she sets out on the trip with the goal of proving him wrong in an article that will earn her a scholarship to Emory’s journalism program. However, when she finds herself being held hostage in the Osinovs' home, she is forced to give in to Dan’s theories and use her skills as a journalist to find her way home. Adrienne’s voice as a storyteller and reporter was both snarky and sincere, and Parks seamlessly transitioned between suspense and humor throughout the story. The best parts of the novel were the elements of magical realism woven throughout, which heightened my experience of Adrienne’s story and surprisingly beautiful relationship with the Osinovs. Ultimately, this novel is not only about the power our experiences have in shaping our stories, but also our own roles in the way we choose to tell those stories. In short: NOTES FROM MY CAPTIVITY’s unique plot and style make it a worthwhile read.

Review: We'll Fly Away

We'll Fly Away
by Bryan Bliss

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: May 8, 2018

WE'LL FLY AWAY by Bryan Bliss is the story of two best friends, Luke and Toby, and their senior year of high school. With the promise of a college wrestling scholarship for Luke, the two boys make their plans to leave their town, Toby’s abusive father, and Luke’s distant mother at the end of the school year. Carefully woven within the story of the boys’ year are Luke’s letters to Toby from death row. 

These letters ultimately allow readers to piece together the events leading up to Luke’s incarceration and complimented the other aspects of the novel well. However, the best part of reading WE'LL FLY AWAY was the vulnerability of each of the two main characters. This, along with the strength of the boys’ friendship made reading the novel and their growth apart from one another especially heartbreaking. 


Warnings: physical abuse 

Review: Emergency Contact

Emergency Contact
by Mary H.K. Choi

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: March 27, 2018

EMERGENCY CONTACT by Mary H.K. Choi follows Penny Lee’s first year of college in Austin, Texas. An aspiring writer, Penny is excited to finally leave behind her high school years and start fresh in a new environment. Meanwhile, Sam works at a coffee shop and is struggling to get by, much less work towards his dreams of directing movies. Through texts and the dual-perspective aspect of the novel, readers follow the timeline of Penny and Sam’s relationship throughout the novel. 

We found this to be a good, if a tad cluttered, first novel from the author. While Choi’s ambitious attempts to tackle many subject matters were generally successful, they fell flat at others. We would have liked to have see some aspects of the novel developed more, such as Sam’s relationship with his mother and some of Penny’s pre-college experiences. However, Choi did a good job of addressing diversity and it was easy to connect with the two main characters and their natural-feeling relationship. Overall, this was an enjoyable read and we recommend this for people looking for an uplifting story told in a unique way!

*Trigger warning for sexual assault.

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Review: Rookie on Love

Rookie on Love
edited by Tavi Gevinson

Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: January 2, 2018

Tavi Gevinson founded Rookie, an online magazine, in 2011. ROOKIE ON LOVE is an anthology featuring essays, comics, and poetry ­­– each with a focus on the subject of love. The pieces in both the magazine and anthology are all either written by teenagers, or adults who are writing to teenagers. Coupled with this unique detail, ROOKIE ON LOVE presents a diverse look at the different ways of defining and thinking about love. With such a wide range of styles and angles included in the anthology, readers will be able to relate and connect to at least one of the 46 pieces (and likely many more than that). They say not to judge a book by its cover, but as a fan of Rookie magazine and the Rookie yearbooks, I expected a lot from the cover art of ROOKIE ON LOVE; I was not disappointed. While I recommend reading the entire anthology, some of my favorite essays included “On Love and Associated Leavings,” “Karma,” “Memory is an Angel Who Can Fly No More,” and “The Most Exciting Moment of Alma’s Life.”

Review: Nice Try, Jane Sinner

Nice Try, Jane Sinner
by Lianne Oelke

Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: January 9, 2018

In NICE TRY, JANE SINNER, Lianne Oelke tells the story of 17-year-old Jane Sinner as she begins to complete her high school degree at a local community college. In an effort to move out of her parents’ house and win a car, Jane auditions for a campus reality show called House of Orange. Through HOO, Jane finds an unexpected opportunity to work through personal and family struggles. The novel is written in a series of journal entries and conversations with Jane’s made-up therapist, Dr. Freudenschade, which immediately gives readers unique insight into Jane’s character. Jane is witty and cynical (without sounding obnoxious or rude) which gives the book a fresh feel; her personality and tone match the fast-paced dialogue and diary entries that move the novel forward. Oelke balanced this cynicism impressively with a more serious discussion of mental health throughout the story, which never felt forced or unnatural. Overall, NICE TRY, JANE SINNER offers an original premise and is a great read.

Review: This Mortal Coil

This Mortal Coil
by Emily Suvada

Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: November 7, 2017

THIS MORTAL COIL by Emily Suvada explores a futuristic world in which gene hacking allows people to change their DNA. A global outbreak of a plague that kills most of the population leaves teenager Catarina Agatta alone with her father, Dr. Lachlan Agatta. After Lachlan is killed while creating a vaccine for the disease, Catarina is recruited to figure out how to release it.

This was the first science fiction novel I have read in a long time, and it reminded me why I love the genre. The intersection between coding and DNA in this book gives it a fresh premise and prompts thought about human nature and technology in our own world. Suvada found a balance between explaining the science-related aspects of the story so that it was realistic, while not getting bogged down with an overwhelming amount of detail. Though the book itself is fairly long, the story is filled with plot twists(!) and action to keep it moving. The title’s reference to HAMLET was also appreciated and added another layer to my reading of the novel. However, teens will enjoy THIS MORTAL COIL, regardless of their HAMLET knowledge. 

Review: Calling My Name

Calling My Name
by Liara Tamani

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: October 24, 2017

Taja Brown, an African American girl living in Houston, Texas, narrates CALLING MY NAME by Liara Tamani. Throughout this coming of age novel, Taja grapples with the expectations of her parents, her relationship with God, her sexuality, and her own personal aspirations.

Because the novel begins when Taja is in middle school and ends after she finishes high school, it felt as though I was growing up alongside her, instead of reading her stories as an outsider. Taja beautifully develops her narrative voice over the course of the story, which was a rewarding process for me to experience as a reader. This immediately personal relationship with the main character, along with Tamani’s subdued (while still powerful) writing style, makes CALLING MY NAME easy to connect to for any teenager. 

Readers who enjoyed the vignette-like structure and poetic language of Sandra Cisneros’s THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET will want to give CALLING MY NAME a try.  

Summer Roundup: Fandom Finds

Couldn't score that San Diego Comic-Con ticket this year? We're right there with you. But you can still celebrate the awesomeness of fandom by picking up one of these great YAs featuring fans like you!

It's no Hall H wristband, but we hope it helps.

ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS by Francesca Zappia 

Rachel loved this "beautifully written" story of a teenage webcomic author whose real life gets complicated when the new boy at school turns out to be her comic's #1 fanfic author.

SCARLETT EPSTEIN HATES IT HERE by Anna Breslaw

Scarlett is an avid fanfiction writer for her favorite tv show, so when it's canceled, she's obviously devastated. In an effort to stop her message board friends from leaving to write fanfic about other shows, Scarlett starts an original story...and they love it! Unfortunately, Scarlett's story is entirely based on the other kids at school, so it's only a matter of time before her online and IRL worlds collide.

STRANGER THAN FANFICTION by Chris Colfer

Anna reviewed this coming-of-age, road trip novel by a real-life superstar! When four teens obsessed with the TV show Wiz Kids invite its star actor to go on a cross-country road trip with them, they don't expect him to respond, much less actually accept. But the five teens find themselves on a vacation they'll never forget!

I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE by Maurene Goo

No one is more motivated than high school senior Desi Lee. She's top of every class and on the varsity soccer team, and she works hard to be there. But she's no good at romance: too much spontaneity, not enough guidelines. Until she starts really watching the Korean dramas that her dad is obsessed with, and realizes that they use a highly effective formula for romance... One that she can use in her own life. After that it's enter cute boy, and cue awkward Desi theme music.

We can pretty much guarantee that by the time you finish this book, you'll obsess over Korean dramas as much as Desi does (although maybe you'll be a little smarter about romance). Luckily, the author includes a handy Korean drama guide at the end.

GEEKERELLA by Ashley Poston

Elle is counting on using her obsession with Starfield to win ExcelsiCon's costume contest and use the winnings to escape her horrible stepmother and stepsisters. Darien is the new teen hearthrob slated to star in the Starfield reboot, who genuinely loves the fandom, but is only seen as an empty-headed pretty-boy. When they meet, it's a "feel-good" summer read that reviewer Camille says has "the true essence of a fandom book".

THE GEEK'S GUIDE TO UNREQUITED LOVE by Sarvenaz Tash

Graham's friendship with Roxy started when they were two Harry Potter-obsessed eight year olds and now that they're sixteen they share years of history and a love of comic books. When Graham learns that the creator of their favorite comic is going to be at New York Comic Con, he's sure that this is the perfect grand gesture to show Roxy that he wants to be more than friends. However, things don't always go according to plan, especially when everyone is pretending to be someone they're not. If you're looking for that immersive, comic-con experience in book form, this is the one for you.

FANGIRL, CARRY ON, and KINDRED SPIRITS by Rainbow Rowell

When it comes to fandom writing, Rainbow Rowell's books shine with the power of 100 lightsabers and are as sincere as any Hufflepuff.

Cath is the titular FANGIRL, obsessed with the Simon Snow series about teenage wizards at a magic boarding school. Her twin sister has moved on from writing fanfiction, now that they're starting college, but Cath just feels safer immersed in her fanfic than dealing with their dad's breakdown, a friendly roommate, or a cute boy. CARRY ON is a companion book to FANGIRL. It's basically a mix of Cath's most epic Simon Snow slash fanfic and the actual Simon Snow series, and it is delightful.

KINDRED SPIRITS chronicles the drama and boredom of camping out for a movie (in this case, Star Wars: The Force Awakens).

Review: Eliza and Her Monsters

Eliza and Her Monsters
by Francesca Zappia

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: May 30, 2017

High school senior Eliza Mirk is quiet and reserved. She rarely speaks at school and spends most of her time drawing in her sketchbook. What most people don’t know, however, is that inside of that sketchbook is a world that Eliza created – the online comic Monstrous Sea. Eliza runs her fandom of millions of followers anonymously under the screen name LadyConstellation, but this anonymity is threatened when Wallace Warland, the number one MS fanfiction writer, arrives at her school and makes Eliza wonder if she can have a life both on- and offline.

ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS was a beautifully written book. Both Eliza and Wallace deal with personal and familial struggles, but through their shared loved of Monstrous Sea they connect with one another and develop a profound relationship. I thought that Zappia did an excellent job of writing about introversion, creativity, and mental health. Between chapters, she included sections of Eliza’s webcomic, Monstrous Sea, which was an equally captivating story and added to my perception of Eliza’s growth as a character while I read. The book also contained one other story, THE CHILDREN OF HYPNOS, which Zappia has released on her Wattpad page and which I cannot wait to read.

Review: The End of Our Story

The End of Our Story
by Meg Haston

Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 4, 2017

Ex-best friends Wil and Bridge used to date, until a drunken mistake by Bridge ended their relationship during junior year. In the midst of their senior year of high school, a tragedy strikes Wil’s family and the two friends attempt to rediscover their connection. Though the novel seems simply like a romance, it explores the complexity of relationships, from friendships, to romance, to family. Throughout the novel, both Bridge and Wil wrestle with their individual family situations, yet they are able to support one another along the way. My favorite aspect of THE END OF OUR STORY was its unique layout. The story is told from two perspectives and two different timelines, but it is always clear who is narrating. This format allows readers to piece together the connecting elements of each character’s story, and to get a complete sense of Wil and Bridge as both individuals and as a pair. Overall, THE END OF OUR STORY by Meg Haston is an excellent read and will encourage readers to think about how a person’s actions and relationships define them.

Review: The Beast is an Animal

The Beast is an Animal
by Peternelle van Arsdale

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books
Publication Date: February 28, 2017

THE BEAST IS AN ANIMAL by Peternelle van Arsdale follows Alys, a young girl whose parents are killed by soul eaters. After losing her parents, Alys goes to live in a nearby town called Defaid, where the adults’ fear of both a creature known as The Beast and the soul eaters seems to have taken over their entire lives. As Alys grows up, she begins to see the danger in the town’s fear of the unknown, and takes it upon herself to redefine the line between good and evil. 

In the beginning of the novel, Alys is seven, and readers stay with her until she is fifteen years old. Being able to see Alys’s growth throughout the novel created a personal connection between the main character and reader, and will allow readers to understand her on a deeper level. The entire novel is written like a dark fairy tale, with eerie rhymes about The Beast and the soul eaters woven throughout the story. Fear of these creatures leads the town-members to struggle to accept anybody who may be different from them, while Alys struggles to find the balance between finding herself and caring for others. While some may find that the plot seems slow to unfold, it will give readers time to reflect on the ways they deal with fear, and what it takes to overcome prejudice. Overall, van Arsdale created a dark fantasy world that readers will be left thinking about. 

Review: Piecing Me Together

Piecing Me Together
by Renée Watson

Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: February 14, 2017

In PIECING ME TOGETHER, Renée Watson writes about Jade, an artist and scholarship student at a predominantly white, private high school in Portland. Jade lives a different life than her classmates and is constantly being given “opportunities” by her school counselor, one of which is an offer to become part of a mentorship program called Women to Women. Though Jade accepts, she struggles to connect with her mentor, Maxine, and feels as though Maxine is attempting to repair Jade instead of supporting her. Throughout the novel, readers watch as Jade discovers the power and voice she has in the world, which Watson beautifully depicts through descriptions of Jade’s artwork. Her story is told clearly and expresses the importance of treating people equally, allowing yourself to discover what matters to you, and finding beauty in everything. She and her friends are strong characters with important messages and ideas. 

Review: A List of Cages

A List of Cages
by Robin Roe

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication Date: January 10, 2017


A LIST OF CAGES by Robin Roe captures the beautiful friendship and brotherhood of high-school senior, Adam, and freshman, Julian. Previously foster brothers, the two boys rekindle their relationship when Adam begins helping out their school’s psychologist. As the friendship progresses, Adam begins to see that there is more to Julian’s new life at home than what he’s told.

Readers should know that this book covers heavy topics (a main character is physically and emotionally abused), but Roe’s story and characters manage to remain focused on the good in the world. I would give A LIST OF CAGES ten thousand stars. (Read it to find out what that means!)

Review: Saving Red

Saving Red 
by Sonya Sones 

Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: October 18, 2016

SAVING RED tells the story of fourteen-year-old Molly Rosenberg’s relationship with Red, a homeless teenager Molly meets in Santa Monica, California. Though their friendship begins with Molly desperately trying to complete her school’s community service requirement, the two girls quickly grow to find comfort and support in one another. Molly and Red balanced each other out very well, with Red’s outgoing spirit and Molly’s more reserved nature. One of the most exciting things about this novel was that it was written in verse, which gave it a nice flow and created a feeling of clarity and honesty in Molly’s voice as a main character. I would recommend Saving Red to anybody who is interested in reading a novel in verse, but might be afraid to try – this book would be the perfect place to start.

Review: Lucy and Linh

Lucy and Linh
by Alice Pung

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: September 6, 2016

Alice Pung’s novel, LUCY AND LINH, tells the story of Lucy Lam, who gets plucked out of her Catholic school and thrown into Laurinda Girls’ College: a fancy elite prep school for girls. At Laurinda, though Lucy feels out of place, she attracts the attention of the ruling clique, The Cabinet. The more time she spends with The Cabinet, however, the less true to herself Lucy feels. The story is told through Lucy’s letters to her best friend, Linh, and Pung does an excellent job of capturing Lucy’s honest voice and developing her character as Lucy discovers what is truly important. Lucy is a grounded and strong character, and I think she will appeal to most audiences. Overall, LUCY AND LINH is both surprisingly funny and meaningful at once, and I would recommend it for ages 12 and up.

Review: Mirror In The Sky

Mirror In The Sky 
by Aditi Khorana 

Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: June 21, 2016

Beautifully written by Aditi Khorana, MIRROR IN THE SKY allows both the characters and readers to think about all the “what-ifs” life has to offer. Just as Tara Krishnan is settling into her junior year of high school, NASA releases news of Terra Nova, Earth’s mirror planet. Tara, along with the rest of the world, starts to consider the weight of her life choices, wondering what life is like for the alternate version of herself on Terra Nova. Soon, she begins to notice slight changes in her everyday life – her mother seems distant and Tara finds a new group of friends within the school’s resident popular clique. With everything up in the air, all Tara knows is that her life on Earth will never be the same. Tara and her family members had a genuine and authentic voice that readers will easily be able to relate to. Without being too laden with scientific details, the plot was believable and mainly revolved around the main character’s social circle. 

Review: The Art Of Being Normal

The Art Of Being Normal 
By Lisa Williamson 

Publication Date: May 31, 2016
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux 

THE ART OF BEING NORMAL is told from the perspective of two transgender teenagers – Leo Denton and David Piper. Leo is new to Eden Park School, and wants nothing more than to start over and move on from his past identity as Megan Denton. Meanwhile, David is having trouble telling his parents that he identifies as a girl and beginning his transition into life as Kate. The two meet and eventually befriend one another, finding comfort in their shared experiences. The author struck a good balance between realistically writing about the struggles that a transgender teen may face, and keeping the story uplifting and hopeful. Although the novel does have gender identity as a major theme, it focuses more on the general idea of being open to and accepting diversity, making the story relatable for almost anybody. The engaging plot line and lovable characters make THE ART OF BEING NORMAL a great choice for any teen looking to get a basic understanding of issues in this realm, or simply somebody looking for a good story.

Review: Quiet Power: The Secret Strength Of Introverts

Quiet Power: 
The Secret Strength of Introverts
by Susan Cain 

Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2016 

In 2012 Susan Cain wrote QUIET: THE POWER OF INTROVERTS IN A WORLD THAT WON'T STOP TALKING, sparking a shift in what being an introvert means to people. QUIET POWER: THE SECRET STRENGTH OF INTROVERTS, is her guide for kids and teens, discussing everything from school to friends to extracurricular activities. As a self-proclaimed introvert, I was so excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint. Cain used her interviews with kids to illustrate the importance of understanding and staying true to oneself while using one’s “quiet power” to its full potential. While extroversion is often seen as more appealing than introversion, Cain’s book celebrates the special qualities possessed by introverts, and offers techniques for utilizing them. I would recommend Quiet Power to kids, teens, parents, and teachers looking to better understand themselves, their kids, their friends, or their students.

Review: Shades Of Darkness

Shades of Darkness (Ravenborn #1)
By A.R. Kahler 

Publication Date: March 8, 2016
Publisher: Simon Pulse 

In SHADES OF DARKNESS readers meet aspiring painter Kaira, who attends Islington Arts Academy, a boarding school in Michigan. Kaira cherishes the solitude she finds living at Islington, because it has allowed her to put the past behind her and focus on graduating. However, when murders disguised as suicides start occurring on campus, some snippets of the past are brought back for Kaira, as she begins to worry that she is the only person who can bring things back to normal. SHADES OF DARKNESS was a truly unique read. The plot may sound basic but rest assured, it is anything but. With detailed descriptions, and elaborate stories of the gods, Kahler draws readers into Kaira’s inner world. Like the writing, she is creative, and witty. Furthermore, the other characters are just as bright as she is, from her roommate Elise, to her closest friend Ethan. The somewhat magical aspect brought the story a step above the usual boarding school book. It was twisted and unexpected, yet also light and funny. Although the novel’s beginning felt too drawn out, it was definitely worth it to keep reading, and I recommend this promising start to a new series to teens and adults alike.