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: Crossing the Line (The Raven Files #1)

Crossing The Line 
(The Raven Files #1)
by Meghan Rogers 

Publisher: Philomel
Publication Date: April 12th, 2016 

CROSSING THE LINE is a fast-paced spy novel about Jocelyn Steely, the girl who makes it her mission to take down the North Korean spy agency that kidnapped her as a little girl. There are twists with every turn of the page and I liked the author's writing style because the plot was well established she really dragged me into Jocelyn’s world. If there is a second book, and I think there will be, I will definitely be reading it! 

Review: The Haters

The Haters 
by Jesse Andrews 

Publisher: Abrams Books
Publication Date: April 5th, 2016

In THE HATERS, Wes, Corey, and Ash are fugitives from band camp and the next big thing (according to no one). Once realizing jazz camp is a total bore, they ditch and hit the road, determined to make it big in their self-named “Haters Summer of Hate Tour”. Follow Wes as he tries to get with Ash (or anyone), Ash as she tries to keep her mysterious rich girl reputation, and Corey as he tries to figure out what the heck is going on. With songs such as "Trees are Eating My Dad Right Now Pt. 1" and a never-ending argument about the name of the band, how long can their tour last before they are caught by the cops and sent home? Andrews offers a fresh take on YA literature in a novel riddled with different writing formats including Wikipedia articles, conversations in script, and a stream of consciousness from the (often immature) perspective of Wes. This was honestly one of the funniest books I've read in a long time and I would highly recommend it!

Review: Future Shock

Future Shock 
by Elizabeth Briggs

Publisher: Aw Teen
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

FUTURE SHOCK is a whirl of gripping, fast-paced action mixed with tense mystery and aggravatingly awesome romance. There's also time travel. Yes, time travel. Elena is a tough foster kid with an eidetic memory, who's on the verge of aging out of the system. So when Aether Corporation offers her a chance to earn a great deal of money, she ends up accepting their offer-- only to find out that this means traveling 10 years forward in time. Yet, when Elena discovers a harrowing secret, she has to find out how to change the future-- otherwise she might not have one. If you're looking for a pulse-pounding sci-fi YA novel that's sure to have you turning page after page, look no further than FUTURE SHOCK.

Review: Don't Get Caught

Don't Get Caught 
By Kurt Dinan

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

DON'T GET CAUGHT is a (semi) realistic fiction story about a group of high schoolers set up by the notorious pranking group, The Chaos Club.  When the book’s protagonists are "caught" vandalizing a water tower thanks to the Club, the five seek revenge and together grow to be not only a legendary prank team themselves, but close friends. I completely fell in love with each character; all unique, funny, and relatable in their own ways. The dialogue is quick and witty and the plot is full of twists and revelations. DON'T GET CAUGHT is such a fun and thought provoking read! 

Review: The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl

The Incredible Adventures of Cinnamon Girl 
By Melissa Keil

Publisher: Peachtree Publishers
Publication Date: April 1, 2016

THE INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES OF CINNAMON GIRL is a great feel-good book. The story follows the life of Alba, a teenage girl who has just graduated from high school. While all of her closest friends are making plans to move away, Alba wants everything to stay the same. She’s used to helping her mom out in the bakery, working on her drawings, and spending time with her best friend, Grady. Keil does a fantastic job of making every character in this story really come to life. I felt just as torn when it came to the decisions Alba has to make about whether she, too, wants to change with everyone around her. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read something that'll make you smile!