The Whole Thing Together
by Ann Brashares
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Ray and Sasha live in the same house, share the same room, and sleep in the same bed...but they've never even met each other. Sasha's dad was once married to Ray's mom, but a bitter divorce has left the families splitting the same beachfront property (on alternating weekends) and three older daughters, but not much else. Their older daughters are determined to change this and bring the families back together, and Sasha and Ray are caught in the tidal wave of change that follows.
Back after her acclaimed SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS series, Ann Brashares pens a beautifully poignant novel about family, sorrow, and forgiveness in THE WHOLE THING TOGETHER. Each character is unique and well-crafted, every interaction powerful and distinct. While reflective and incredibly rich in both detail and depth, this novel still manages to be bright, funny, and engaging, making it unquestionably one of the best books of this year.
Missing
by Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
MISSING by Kelley Armstrong is a chilling mystery novel set in Reeve’s End, a destitute small town in rural Kentucky. College-bound Winter Crane is eager to follow in the footsteps of countless other teenagers who have left Reeve’s End seeking a better life elsewhere, but when she discovers Lennon, a teenager assaulted and abandoned in the woods, she finds herself thrust into an intense game of cat-and-mouse with Lennon’s attacker. The mystery only escalates when Lennon suddenly goes missing, his brother Jude shows up asking questions, and Winter is drawn into the boys’ complicated family life. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel; it did an excellent job at balancing page-turning suspense with character development. I found Winter particularly likeable as a character, she is intelligent, compassionate, and incredibly resourceful. I would highly recommend this novel to fans of THE NATURALS.
Bang
by Barry Lyga
Publisher: Little Brown
Publication Date: April 18, 2017
BANG by Barry Lyga
is about a boy named Sebastian who shot his baby sister with his
fathers gun when he was 4 years old. The book takes place 10 years
later, when Sebastian is a suicidal teen. He meets a girl named
Aneesa who makes him forget about his past and he altogether forgets
about committing suicide. This is a very eye opening story and I
truly loved it. It actually brought me to tears. It was so real and
beautifully written. It is very heavy. I really enjoyed the plot. It
is a hard book to face but once you start reading it, you get wrapped
up. BANG is a totally amazing book you must read.
Literally
by Lucy Keating
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
In LITERALLY by Lucy
Keating, Annabelle is a character by Lucy Keating— as in, she is
aware of that fact. After a class lecture by Keating herself,
Annabelle discovers that everything she’s known her whole life…
is just for a book Keating’s about to write. LITERALLY has a very
interesting concept, yet the way it is delivered does not stray too
far from the genre’s tropes. Cute and fun, LITERALLY is the perfect
read for anyone who just wants a nice, familiar YA romance novel.
Guaranteed to have you smiling throughout your read, it's perfect for everyone, whether you are green to the genre, or an experienced veteran looking for something comfortable!
Maresi
by Maria Turtschaninoff
Publisher: Abrams
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
Maresi is a young
girl living at an abbey situated on an isolated island and only
inhabited by women. However, the arrival of a newcomer named Jai will
soon disturb this haven of peace away from the violence and poverty
of the rest of the world. Let yourself be transported into Maria
Turtschaninoff's truly feminist dystopian world. MARESI is a
one-sitting book that stays away from any cliché; you will certainly
enjoy it even if you are not a fantasy fan.
Beck
by Mal Peet and Meg Rosoff
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: April 11, 2017
BECK, by Meg Rosoff
and Mal Peet, is a story that follows the life of a boy named Beck,
an orphan who is shipped from England to Canada and escapes to
America, where he struggles to make a life for himself. The story
takes place in the early 1900s which is intriguing to me because I am
a bit of a history buff. I liked the character development and the side
characters. I also enjoyed the book's realistic nature and how it is
unique, as it deals with an interesting journey; I have not really read anything similar to this. I would recommend this
book to older audiences, as in high schoolers, because there are some
intense scenes that are not really appropriate for younger kids. However, I
really enjoyed the book and definitely think it is worth reading.
Keeping the Beat
by Marie Powell and Jeff Norton
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
KEEPING THE BEAT by
Marie Powell and Jeff Norton follows an all girl rock band on their
rise to fame that brings them from England to LA, and the path each
girl takes once they get there. The hodgepodge group of five girls
barely talked at school, but an opportunity on Britain's newest
reality show to become a world famous band throws them together into
living a SoCal life of nonstop partying and celebrity status. Yet
each girl faces their own personal problems that threaten to tear the
band apart, and possibly the lives of those around them.
Though the
premise seemed a bit cliché, the writing and dialogue was fresh
enough to keep it a fun and exciting read. The characters were an
interesting take on old tropes and felt well developed and layered.
While some of the plot points seemed to be a little out of place and
the last few chapters were a bit rushed, it all came together
cohesively in a way that kept my attention. Each of the girls brought
a unique viewpoint to the story at large and helped tie the book
together. I really enjoyed this book as a fun suspenseful read that I
would definitely recommend to someone who is looking for the same
kind of exciting easy reading experience.
