Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

Reviewed by Britney S.
Grade 9

Cinderella Is Dead, but her cursed legacy continues to live on, damning nearly all other girls to a similar if not worse fate. But with the legacy the spark to fight and rebel has also lived on through the people, especially Sophia. Not wanting to follow the rules since young, she achieves her own freedom a while giving theirs to so many other girls.

Sophia is a sixteen-year-old girl, that like so many that share her fate, will be forced to follow Cinderella's footsteps as dictated by society. Now that she is of 'age' she, like Cinderella, must attend the ball to find her prince. But this doesn't mean a happy ending; it is the opposite for many, and she is well aware of it. She had hoped to escape her tragic fate when society once again uses its complicated rules to back her into a corner, but with a lucky chance she escapes into the forest. Looking for refuge in Cinderella's crypt, she finds another girl that has been running far longer than her. With the help of a wiser person and a little magic, she and her partner end this dark time in which women nearly have no rights, and together, they are ready to face the few last hurdles to fix this broken society.

The world and its setting were nicely flushed out and very immersive. I felt as if I was in there with its description and how the people acted in it. On the plaza of the town, from getting the wrong-sized shoe a little girl gets a portrait of the 'evil' stepsisters and tells her mother "Mama, I don't want to be like them.". Clearly showing the big influence that this fairy tale has become to girls, influencing them to be a certain way since young. One of Sophia's friend's family can't afford all the expenses that would make their daughter 'fit' for the ball and hope for a fairy godmother, because looking bad in the ball could end their daughter's life, showing how strict the King can be. The cruelty in a household due to the difference in power between husband and wife is displayed as Sophia witnesses a man beat his wife because she's 'stealing' all the money she makes as a seamstress which belongs to him "He raises his fist, and the woman winces as if he's already struck her." This is seconds before the protagonist steps in and as a client asks for the seamstress, because this can't be reported as the husband would be seen as right by the authorities. On the other hand, I think that the protagonist's transition in emotions could have been developed better as her love goes from her first love to her new love. She loved her first love so much made clearly many times through the text as she mentions their worry and care through many of the first chapters, but later in the book she no longer mentions them except for when she meets the second love interest and stops part of the advances. Other than that it was a very interesting story with rather relatable characters.

I think it is a good book for teen reader beginners. It is based on the original story Cinderella, even setting it as part of the conflict, but with a malicious flip on its world. It has dark themes such as domestic abuse and another best left unmentioned as it is a spoiler. It gives the basic idea of what happens with a corrupt and biased government and how hard it can be on the people and their personal feelings; especially who they fall for. It also has fantasy that will draw in many readers, plus being inclusive. But for more experienced readers the plot may seem familiar and as such taking away part of the novelty, the thrill of not knowing what's going to happen.

Review of Advance Reading Copy.
Expected publication: July 2020

The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade 8

When I checked out the book The Healer’s Apprentice at the library, I was immensely interested by the beautiful cover. Though as I read the first few chapters, I started to fade. Getting into this long story took quite a while. I cannot say that reading this book was a total waste of time, but it was not a page turner. Don’t expect to be up all night reading it.

The protagonist of this book is a seventeen-year-old girl living in the Middle Ages. Rose, the woodcutter’s daughter, finds herself an apprentice of the town’s healer, Frau Geruscha. Rose is repetitively ordered by her mother to marry rich, old bachelors, and constantly denies her mother’s requests. Rose wants to marry a man she loves. Meanwhile the Duke of Hagenheim’s sons, Lord Hamlin and Lord Rupert, return from two years at Heidelberg’s university, and Rose finds herself falling in love with Lord Hamlin, who is betrothed to a mysterious Lady Salomea. Unfortunately, Lord Hamlin injures his leg, and Rose must sew the wound. Rose frequently finds herself getting into situations where Lord Hamlin must save her.

Reading this book, I could tell the author put much work into the plot. Rose was a very brave character, who is willing to do what is right even when it gets tough and even if it means losing the people she loves and cherishes. All the characters’ lives in this book worked out perfect except the main two, and that was unrealistic in my opinion. Like all fairy tales, it had the happily ever after ending; however, I felt that after all the hardship that had occurred the ending just happened out of nowhere, with no warning.

If you are bored, then The Healer’s Apprentice is not a terrible way to fill your time. The book did have many positive messages and was clean. I could also relate to the main characters. However, if you are looking for a page-turner, I would not bother to read this book. I personally did not like the author's style, and the rhythm of the book was dreadfully slow.

Hearts, Strings, and Other Unbreakable Things by Jacqueline Firkins

Reviewed by Nicole V.
Grade 10

Engaging debut Hearts, Strings and Other Breakable Things introduces the reader to the heroine, Edie Price. It had been seven years since she stepped into Mansfield, Massachusetts. Back then, her mother had a massive disagreement with her sister which left the family disunited. Edie pledged never to return again, until she broke that pledge and everything dramatically changed her life.

The novel opens with Edith “Edie” Price, a 17-years-old foster teen, struggling with the loss of her single mother three years ago. Edie is set to spend the last few months of her senior year with her wealthy aunt and uncle offering her a room, sending her to a private school with her cousins, and throwing a charity case party to introduce her to Mansfield society. Edie tries to fit in like her cousins, Maria and Julia, who obsessively care about fashion, parties and kissing boys while Edie cares about her education, writing music, reading classic literature and avoiding being in love. However, Edie is diverted by two love potential interests--the boy next door and the playboy. Sebastian, the boy next door and Edie’s childhood friend, quickly turns into a crush and both share literary references and same feelings for each other. Except...he has a girlfriend. Claire is gorgeous, popular and not fond of Edie. Edie senses that they aren’t a good match for each other when Claire's brother, Henry, a debonair and notorious player, gets really interested in Edie and starts flirting with her after Edie instantly rejects his action on her. When Edie’s with Sebastian, she feels like herself and knows that someone understands her situation, but as she continues to spend more time with Henry. She feels more honest and has a perfect and open connection with him, even joking around each other.


Jacqueline Firkins did an amazing job re-telling the story of Mansfield Park by transforming it from a countryside/Victorian time to a modernistic time. Although the book starts off complicated, it turns out to be heartwarming. Each individual character throughout the novel is entertaining, dramatically funny and self-controlled. For example: Edie’s conflicting relationship with her cousins can be difficult and annoying when they pressure her to do this and to do that with them, but in general they treat her like a “real” cousin rather than a mean friend. The writing overall is deftly written and contains lots of diction. Even though the plot deals with ups and downs, it was thrilling and interesting overall.

I would recommend this book because Edie's personality is unique, mature, and different from others with her superior intelligence, and she is not afraid to let her dream drop. Edie’s moral message to a young teenage girl is whatever you're striving or dreaming for, don’t let anything topple you down or let any boys distract your potential future. However, I would not recommend it to anyone younger than 13 because of its over-sexualization and deals with a lot of issues throughout the novel. I also suggest reading the original version, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen and see how both authors utilizes their characters in different time periods.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Reviewed by Kaylee O.
Grade 9

Many books try to capture the impact that racism and discrimination have on our society, but none of them compare to how well The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas does. Thomas is able to capture the essence of a young teenage girl who has just witnessed the murder of her childhood best friend. The story is incredibly moving and will make you see things from a different point of view. Thomas’s debut novel captures your attention from the very beginning and doesn’t let it go. This novel will have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next.

Sixteen-year-old Star lives in two worlds, the poor neighborhood in which she lives and the fancy prep school she attends. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is an emotion-filled book following the aftermath of the shooting of Khalil. There was only one witness to Khalil’s murder, Star. But no one knows she was there when it happened. In the novel, Thomas is able to capture Star’s empowering journey of dealing with Khalil’s death while trying to keep her identity as the witness hidden, and the shock that follows the news of the murder in her neighborhood.

Angie Thomas wrote this book to show the negative impact that racism and incorrect assumptions have on our society. Thomas’s writing style makes you feel like you’re in the exact situation and setting that Star is. It’s almost as if you’re in the character’s shoes throughout the entire novel. In my opinion, only the best-written books make you feel as if you’ve transformed into a completely different world. There are many different things that everyone can relate to in this book, for example, Star struggles to find a balance between school, home life, sports, and friends as many other teenagers do.

Even though this book addresses a difficult topic, I would still recommend it. This is one of my favorite books. I think it’s very important for others to understand the social injustice and racism that minorities go through on a daily basis. Angie Thomas did an amazing job writing this incredibly emotional book.

There Will Come a Darkness by Katy Rose Pool

Reviewed by Britney S.
Grade 9

Grabbing your interest and not letting go, it goes up and down like a roller coaster. There Will Come A Darkness is Katy Rose Pool's first book and hooks your interest from the very beginning. It keeps you guessing what's going to happen next at the end of every chapter. It was all the way worth reading and leaves the reader wanting more.

With five heroes come five narratives, all chasing a goal while doubting their true feelings about it. They're all going through a journey that for each may lead to the beginning but not the end. Some may encounter shadows from the past; others take a new route and find themselves, all while finding the truth about the final prophecy left by the most mysterious characters from the story--the prophets. The ones that everything revolves around.

I loved this book. Each character had their own defining characteristic, a charm and a story as to why they became who they are. The setting is rather clear, involving a corrupted city, a secret land, a falling country and the end of the road that is only reached in the final chapters by the characters that drive each other. The plot keeps you hooked throughout the story, leaving you wanting more for the next chapter. The writing of the author truly inspires emotion with each unexpected turn.

I fully recommend There Will Come a Darkness because of the author's wonderful style, shifting views and fully immersing you into the character, the undying feelings of mystery and anticipation. How the conflict is developed through the characters is also wonderful, the characters own emotions for both sides and their impact on the rest of the story, the character development that occurs thanks to this and its plot driving qualities.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Reviewed by Maansi C.
Grade 10

In the book, Dear Martin by Nic Stone, Justyce McAllister, an African American teenager learns to grapple with society and deals with racism. Justyce McAllister is an African American teenager that goes to a school called Braselton Prep. He is at the top of his class, captain of the debate team, and is set to attend an Ivy League school next year. One night, he decides to go to a party with his friends and sees his ex-girlfriend, a white girl, who is drunk. He decides to drive her home and on the way was stopped by a police officer who thinks Justyce is taking advantage of her. Next thing he knows there are flashing lights and handcuffs around his wrists. After he is released, he studies the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and writes a journal of letters to Dr. King about the racism and social injustice that he has faced throughout his life. Justyce is driving with his best friend Manny, blasting music with the windows rolled down. A white police officer, who is off duty, pulls up next to them at a stoplight. Words fly and shots are fired, Justyce and Manny are caught in a crossfire.

Nic Stone, the author of Dear Martin, wrote this book to show the ways Justyce McAllister grapples with society. Her writing style allows you to understand the racism that Justyce grapples with. Some pages are written in dialogue that illustrate the offensive things that have been said to Justyce. Some chapters are also written as the letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr which show his struggle with how to deal with racism.

Even though this book is a hard topic, I would still recommend this amazing book. It is important to understand the social injustice and racism that happens in society today. It also allows people to understand what minorities go through every day. Nic Stone does an amazing job writing this beautiful, emotional book.

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Reviewed by Melvi A.
Grade 11

Many stories attempt to bring to life the gloomy years of The Great Depression, yet few do it as well as Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. This book tells the heart-wrenching story of two incompatible characters. George is small, witty, and intelligent, while Lennie is big and frightening, but has the mind of a small child. What makes them even stranger is the fact that they stick together at one of the loneliest times in history.

The book opens with George and Lennie stopping at a small pond to take a break. They are traveling to the farm they are going to work on next. At their previous farm, George and Lennie had to flee because Lennie got them in trouble, and George is still mad at Lennie about that. When they arrive at the farm, they meet Candy, Slim, and Curley. Candy and Slim are friendly to them, but Curley, the boss’s son, is jealous of Lennie’s size and picks on him. Curley’s wife is very flirtatious around everyone, and Lennie does his best to ignore her. One day after work, George reminds Lennie that they are saving money to buy their own farm, where they are going to raise their own livestock and crops. Lennie wants George to tell this to him as much as possible, because in this farm he wants to raise his own rabbits. Candy hears the story and tells them that he can help them collect the money, as he wants to live with them because he is becoming useless at the farm due to his old age. Now their dream seems as close as ever, but Curley’s constant bullying and his wife’s flirtations threaten to get Lennie in trouble, and ruin their American Dream.

I think the reader gets very emotionally attached to George and Lennie, which makes them remarkable characters. The plot is truly a mix of hope and desperation, which really brings to life those dark times. For example, George and Lennie’s hope is their own farm, but they are stuck working 11 hours a day for someone else. What eventually happens at the end was inevitable, but the author’s style of writing throughout the story convinces you otherwise.

I highly recommend this book to all readers. It tells you a lot more about The Great Depression than any textbook ever could, since it makes you understand it emotionally. It teaches the reader how loneliness can make a society so divided, so bitter, and so intolerant.

Avatars: So This is How it Ends by Tui T. Sutherland

Reviewed by Melvi A.
Grade 11

What would you do if everyone except you suddenly disappeared without a trace? In Avatars: So This Is How It Ends, five teenagers from different parts of the world must find an answer to that question. As they were going about their accustomed way of living, time seemed to stop, the Earth shook, and--when the mysterious event was over--they knew something was wrong. They can see no one around, just crumbling buildings and odd animals made of crystal. An ominous silence occasionally interrupted by terrifying shrieks has enveloped the planet. What’s worse, they are also hearing voices inside their heads.

As she was taking the subway to go home one night, Kali awakes from a short nap to find that the subway is completely empty, and New York City is in total silence. In Chile, Tigre finds himself far away from home in a mysterious forest full of otherworldly animals with no memory of how he got there. In Los Angeles, Venus, a well-known and loved pop-star, and Gus, a technician and fan, realize that they are the only two people alive after an earthquake. Finally, the powerful Amon in Egypt seems to know something the others do not and is completely satisfied with what has happened. There seems to be an unfathomable force driving these teenagers to New York City. Some give in to this force, some try to resist it, but all of them want to know why they are the only survivors of this apocalypse. The book follows the teenagers as they explore the unrecognizable world, encounter strange animals who seem to be telepathic and some secret societies who do not seem to contain normal humans, but only deranged lunatics. When the shocking truth is revealed at the end of the novel, there are many different reactions. For some of them, it was amazing news. For others, despairing news.

In my opinion, the characters in this book are extremely well-developed. They have diverse personalities and show different reactions to the end of the world. For example, Kali mistakenly thinks that she has made the people disappear, while Venus is foolishly worried about the fact that the media will photograph her hanging out with a fan. Their thoughts and actions are relatable and they prompt you to think if you would do the same thing if you were in their place. I also think the author does a great job of keeping the plot gripping even though it takes place in a boring, dead world, ruled by crystal creatures.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is a big fan of science fiction and mystery novels. The author uses casual language, so the book can be quickly understood. I also recommend reading the second book, Shadow Falling, because, as you will find out, the story is not over at the end of this book.

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

Reviewed by Leah H.
Grade 12

Be More Chill is told from the perspective of Jeremy Heere, a high schooler, whose one wish is to date Christine Caniglia. The only issue is that Jeremy is tragically awkward and unpopular and Christine is witty and decently popular.

Jeremy only has one friend, idolizes the popular people, and gets bullied. All his attempts to fit in only exacerbate his ostracization, until one of his tormentors, Rich, tells him about his SQUIP. SQUIP, a Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor from Japan, sits in his brain and tells him how to be cool. Seeing this as his opportunity to date Christine and finally fit in, Jeremy follows Rich's instructions and gets his own SQUIP. The SQUIP helps Jeremy learn how to talk to girls and turn his former tormentors into friends, but it also strains his relationships.

The characters are a little 2D and cliche in the beginning due to Jeremy idolizing them, but they become more well-rounded once Jeremy stops putting them on a pedestal and becomes friends with them. Rich is an excellent example of this because he’s just a bully to Jeremy at the beginning, but it’s revealed that he used to be dorky, and his SQUIP made him bully Jeremy to become popular, and they end up becoming friends. Christine is also a well-rounded character. She’s sensible, witty, determined, and doesn’t fall for all the cliche things the SQUIP has Jeremy do and say.

Although some parts at the beginning are painful because of how much Jeremy overthinks things, I would still recommend Be More Chill to people who struggle with social anxiety because it teaches a great lesson of self-acceptance. I would also recommend this to those who are fans of the musical based off of the book. I would however not recommend this to anyone under the age of 13, as it is a YA book.

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

Reviewed by Alyssa G.
Grade 12

Five Feet Apart is a beautiful and emotional book following seventeen-year-old Stella as she faces the everyday challenges of Cystic Fibrosis. Stella’s life is centered around her routine treatments and her desire for self control. Stella is immediately intrigued when she meets Will, another Cystic Fibrosis patient with a sharp wit. There’s just one problem— CF patients cannot go within six feet of each other without risking cross infection, a life-threatening danger. Because of this, both Stella and the hospital have strict rules for the two to maintain a safe distance of six feet apart. Despite the physical distance, Stella and Will grow impossibly closer as they do their in-hospital treatments together. However, Stella’s self-imposed boundaries begin to crumble as her and Will begin to fall in love.

This book is beautifully written. Reading from the perspective of both Stella and Will allows the reader to follow the story in an interesting way, understanding how the characters feel about each other before they realize it themselves. Despite the wildly different lives they have, it is easy to connect to Stella and Will.

This book is a roller coaster of emotions. Will's charming humor and witty remarks will make you laugh, and the characters' impossible struggles will make you cry. The plot of Five Feet Apart is absolutely amazing. The ending is fitting, yet unexpected, and it had me in tears.

Rachael Lippincott makes you feel like you are experiencing life with the characters. You share their hopes, dreams, frustrations, and struggles. I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with chronic illness, looking for a whirlwind romance, or searching for an engaging book.

Also available in audiobook, ebook and eAudiobook.