A Curse So Dark And Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

Reviewed by Arthi J.
Grade 10

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer, based on the story of Beauty and the Beast, is a young adult novel which is told from the point of views of Rhen and Harper. These two people couldn’t be any more different, yet they eventually find themselves fighting together against powerful forces in the kingdom of Emberfall. Rhen is the crown prince of a kingdom that is not truly his. Cursed by a powerful enchantress to relive the autumn of his eighteenth year because of a simple mistake, Rhen thought he would easily be able to break his curse and get back to his kingdom. I mean, all he had to do was get a girl to fall in love with him. Seems easy enough, right? Well, him turning into a vicious beast hell-bent on death and destruction at the end of each season would certainly be considered as an obstacle. By now he’s given up any hope of being saved . . . that is, until a mysterious girl shows up on his doorstep.

Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. Her father abandoning their family, her mother dying of cancer, and her brother constantly treating her like a fragile vase that could break at any second because of her cerebral palsy certainly doesn’t help, but she pulls it together and manages. But one day when she tries to save a stranger on the dangerous streets of Washington DC, she’s pulled into an alternate, magical world. Now she doesn’t know where she is or if the whole thing is just a really long and strange dream. And as she spends more and more time with Prince Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understands what's really at stake. And Rhen realizes that Harper is not just another girl to play the same old tricks on. But, there is a powerful and dangerous enemy looking to destroy the kingdom of Emberfall and Harper and Rhen now know that they need to put whatever differences they have aside, including Rhen’s curse, to save the people of his kingdom from utter ruin.

I truly loved reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely, and I would definitely suggest reading the sequel, A Heart so Fierce and Broken, after to receive some much wanted answers to the first novel’s cliffhanger. I admit, the plot moved kinda slow in the beginning, but the build-up made the ending absolutely worth it and I totally didn’t see it coming. I love how almost each and every character has a backstory and a reason for being a part of the story and this is one of the many reasons why the plot of this novel was very well developed and unlike anything I have ever read before.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking to temporarily leave behind our boring reality and escape to a magical and surreal world like no other. Kemmerer does a fantastic job in her world-building, yet another reason why I enjoyed this novel so much. It truly felt like I was right there in Emberfall besides Harper and Rhen as they fought together to try and save his kingdom and its people. Overall, this was a very sweet and mystical book to read and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

Reviewed by Susan Z.
Grade 10

“Don't be the girl who goes to college with a boyfriend.”

Lara Jean has already had such a wonderful senior year and she still has lots to look forward to: a class trip, prom, graduation, Beach Week and more. She’s in a great relationship with her boyfriend, Peter, her dad’s getting married, and she has college plans all sorted out. Imagine life being that perfect, that’s what Lara Jean thought too...until something unexpected happened that changed her life forever. Despite that, she still tries to enjoy the rest of her final year in high school.

Lara Jean had life after high school all sorted out. Her plan was to get into the University of Virginia (UVA)--which Peter had already gotten into for playing lacrosse--to continue her relationship with Peter, and to be close enough to home so she could be there for her little sister, Kitty. Those plans were shattered when she wasn’t accepted into UVA. As she goes through the rest of her senior year, enjoying hanging out with her friends, helping plan her dad’s wedding, and spending as much time with Peter as possible, she’s left thinking what to do next. She gets accepted into other colleges, but all she can think about is how the distance will put a strain on her relationship with Peter. And it turns out, despite coming off very confident, Peter is also under stress due to Lara Jean not attending UVA. With other challenges being thrown at them throughout the novel, Lara Jean is stuck wondering whether her relationship with Peter can really last. And when she gets off the wait list of another one of her dream colleges that's 4 hours away, Lara Jean has to decide whether she’s going to listen to her head or her heart.

I read the first book in this series, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and then watched the 2nd book's film adaptation,To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You, because I was so hooked and the book was checked out from everywhere. And so was this book, but there is no adaptation yet; so I actually kind of forgot about this book until it came in the mail a few days ago. I love this book...I love the entire series. Lara Jean is just so lovable, and witnessing her grow from what she was like in the first book...her character growth is just amazing. I think this book is the one where she was the most relatable. I love how the author didn’t give her a happily ever after-even though I do believe Lara Jean deserves a break with everything she went through in the previous books. But I’m glad the author made Lara Jean struggle and work for, not the future she had planned, but still one that she is excited about. It just shows that life can be challenging and messy at times, but in the end, even if it’s not the route you had planned to take, you’ll get to your destination.

I would recommend Always and Forever, Lara Jean to really everybody; it’s such a good book and conclusion to the series. If you haven’t read the two previous books, I recommend doing that first. I don’t believe it is absolutely necessary for you to read the other books before reading this one, but there will be a few references that you might not get, one of which made me cry. I do really recommend this book to high schoolers, I find it relatable with Lara Jean trying to balance everything going on in her life. And I recommend this for anybody who enjoys a good romance novel.

Rules For Being A Girl by Candace Bushnell & Katie Cotugno

Reviewed by Misha S.
Grade 10

"Remember, girls. Put a little color on your face. Don't wear short skirts. Be funny but don't hog the spotlight. Don't give him the wrong idea. Don't blame him for trying."

Rules for Being a Girl by Candace Bushnell and Katie Cotugno is a short, sharp, feminist novel depicting a girl who pushes her way through expectations and "rules" for being a girl. In modern society, women are expected to be and act certain ways. This book highlights sexism found in the everyday world and highlights upon feminism.

This story is led by Marin, a typical sophomore high school girl who has a boyfriend, her best friend, and a favorite teacher. She leads life normally at school until an incident which flips her perspective around and makes her realize the sexist mindset of teachers and students alike in her high school. Let's talk about her favorite teacher for a moment. Mr. Beckett, or "Bex" as he's referred to by all the students is a charismatic and youthful teacher who is loved adored by all the kids. He's extremely friendly with students, and often gives them rides in his car, hangs out with them etc. Marin considered him as her teacher best friend and casually hung out with him until one day, he takes her to his house. Before I reveal the incident, let's not forget that is teacher is 40-ish years old whereas Marin is 16. He kisses her. Marin didn't want anything of the sort, and let's just say she was traumatized. But she was even more shocked that her teacher was completely casual about it, not to mention, she had to see him everyday in school. This happens near the beginning, so this isn't a spoiler. Throughout the rest of the book, Marin deals with telling people about what happened to her (only to find out no on believes her), noticing subtle sexism from her peers (including her boyfriend), having everyone turn their backs on her and opening a feminist book club. The rest of the story is quite interesting to say the least.

I find the setting and the characters very relatable. Marin is like every other teenage girl, and I can almost put myself in her position. Before the incident she doesn't think much of what people say, but after it she starts to notice many different issues found in her high school itself. For example, her English teacher "Bex" gave a list of books the students have to choose to write a report on, but all the of the authors were only male and white. She finds this weird and speaks up in class about why there weren't any female authors in the list, and everyone just looks at her weird and even her teacher blows it off with a joke. Another example (which I think everyone can relate to) is the dress code. There is a dress code for both boys and girls, yet only the girls are enforced to follow it. Boys violate the dress code, and no one seems to care. The moment a girl wears a skirt that's half an inch too short, she has to go to the principal's office because apparently she is "distracting" the boys with her legs. Marin notices these things and starts to speak about it, but of course, no one listens.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone because I feel like this book highlights important issues on sexism and feminism in today's world. The character development was absolutely brilliant because before the incident, you can see the sexism that prevails but you notice that Marin just brushes it off. Post incident, she starts noticing every little thing wrong in the the system and the mentality towards girls and women. This book provides and lessons that everyone needs to be educated about. Hope you liked my review! Furthermore, for books similar to these, I highly recommend The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed :)

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Reviewed by Donna M.
Grade: 9

Are you curious about all things? Then this is for you! This prestigious novel unleashes the valid truth behind humanity and showcases the solicitous nature or the vicious character behind innumerable subjects. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee reveals the hidden identity of society. Though it's long, each word holds an extensive and profound meaning.

This significant novel is placed in Alabama and revolves around the truth or to prove the innocence of a black man who has been allegedly accused of raping a white woman. Atticus Finch is the sincere and rightful lawyer who has the case in his hand. This series of events has led to an impact on his kids and their never-ending questions on how society includes injustice and poverty. This book exemplifies the topics of color discrimination, race and much more! Dive into the book to find out what the untold truth is.

To Kill a Mockingbird definitely contains stereotypes of the society and how initiatives can enact a new or a fresh look of it. All the characters depicted in the novel have a viewpoint covered and comprehended with the corrupted society. The setting selected can be defined as the best as at one point of time, many conflicts regarding color and races were occurring around that region. I believe there's a distinct connection to the dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451, which discloses a future society and how people behave or how the government is portrayed. Characters in this novel, such as Scout, promote the story to keep going with her innocent questions.

I would absolutely recommend this book for all the middle and high school students and to all audiences out there waiting for an American literature-related book with crucial elements present in today's community. It also includes messages such as to not harm things that don't attack or prey on us, rather to treat all fairly and equally. This book displays how the American society was and the readers get a chance to comprehend how it is now. Besides, It’s also got a mystery to solve on what happened to the lady.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 9

When Suzanne Collins announced that she was going to release a prequel to her Hunger Games series, fans went berserk. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a novel revealing Coriolanus Snow’s background, and although anyone who has read or watched The Hunger Games knows how Snow turns out, the story is still a page-turner.

This dystopian tale is set in Panem: what is left of America after a devastating war between the Capitol and the districts. The Capitol has now created the Hunger Games, a monstrous sport where children are selected from the 12 remaining districts to battle each other to the death. At only eighteen years old, Coriolanus Snow is selected to be a mentor for the 10th annual Game. He receives the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, who has an alluring quality about her. Though Coriolanus is attracted to Lucy Gray and wants her to be victor so she will live, he also selfishly recognizes the benefits that will arise for himself if she succeeds. Throughout this story, Coriolanus is constantly torn between what he knows to be right and his greedy thirst for rising above. His family’s motto is “Snow lands on top,” and that concept frequently influences his decisions.

The novel was certainly well-written. Collins uses a similar style of writing as she does in The Hunger Games, so those who enjoyed that series will likely enjoy this book as well. Additionally, the author is extraordinarily strong at demonstrating the character transition that occurs in Coriolanus. The plot is solid and fascinating. Many readers may not find it as interesting as the original series due to the fact that the ending is already obvious; however, the narrative provides insight into the life of Snow and allows the reader to empathize with him. It also keeps the reader wondering, “What will happen next?”

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone. It offers the backstory of President Coriolanus Snow and shows how he develops into the individual he is in The Hunger Games. The moral implications the author wants to portray come across quite clearly; Collins shows how easy it is for selfishness to twist an individual’s moral mindset. Furthermore, the novelist ties in some connections to The Hunger Games, such as Tigris’ identity, Snow’s opinion on the mockingjays, and who wrote “The Hanging Tree.” The novel is also just an enjoyable read and will certainly keep you engaged until the very end.

Ebook also available to check out.

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah

Reviewed by Cole M.
Grade 11

The book Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood is a coming of age tale of a young man in South Africa during and after the Apartheid.

The narrative is split into two separate parts: one being Trevor Noah's childhood and the other his teenage and adolescent years. In his childhood years, he was treated as white by his family and black by the caucasians in South Africa. This leads to him feeling like an outsider no matter where he goes; whether it be the schools or the neighborhoods he lives in. However, during his teenage years he decides to embrace his African identity. One thing allows him to be able to interact with others within the book and that is language. Because of this feeling of loneliness, Trevor figures out people are more welcoming if you speak their language. However, unlike some authors, Trevor doesn't only focus on the bad as he often looks back on the good as well. There are also small blurbs throughout the book discussing the history of Apartheid.

Trevor focuses heavily on race and how it impacted him throughout his life. For instance, he goes into how his relationship with his father was affected by racism during Apartheid. The emphasis on it shows the effect racist ideals used for propaganda in the Apartheid had on people during and after it.

I would highly recommend this book as it was an eye opener for me, but not to the point where it wasn't entertaining. Overall, a very good read.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Reviewed by Maansi C.
Grade 10

In the book, Long Way Down

by Jason Reynolds, the author explores the thoughts of a young man before seeking revenge.

Long Way Down explains the thoughts of a character named Will seeking revenge for his brother who has been shot. All the thoughts that are explored in this book are all the thoughts he is experiencing in the elevator on the way to get his revenge for this brother. His brother was part of a gang, and that is why he was killed. It is written in a series of poems and poems correspond to the different floors that he is reaching in the elevator on the way to get revenge. He is also visited by the ghosts of other people that he knows that have died telling him he probably shouldn’t do it.

Jason Reynolds, the author, writes this book in a series of poems so that the audience can understand what is going through Will’s mind at the time. It is interesting to see what goes through this teenage boy’s mind on the way to get revenge. This gives you a better understanding of what happens when people in a gang die and other people want revenge for it.

I would totally recommend this book to anyone. I read it in one sitting because it was so interesting to read the thoughts of his teenage boy. Jason Reynolds does a really good job relaying his thoughts through the poems in the book.

Ebook available through Overdrive.

There There by Tommy Orange

Reviewed by Maansi C.
Grade 10

There There is told from many characters' points of view and connects at the end in the big powwow in Oakland. The characters in the book tell their Native American stories throughout. Each character has two or three chapters written in different points of view. They grapple with their Native American identity and stories that make them who they are. They also deal with addiction because many of the Native Americans that live on the reservation drink and are addicts. They also deal with mental health such as OCD. There are symbols throughout the book that relate to each character. Some are part of the gangs and others research Native American life. They all meet at the end of the book at the big powwow in Oakland.

Tommy Orange, the author of There There, wrote this book to show how Native Americans deal with life in Oakland. The way that he decided to write the book in many points of view allows you to better understand their lives. Each character is a different age and has a different story that is related to them. This gives a better understanding of the life they live.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It was interesting to learn about Native American life from people of different ages and backgrounds. It gave you a better understanding of the life they live. Tommy Orange does an amazing job elaborating on their lives throughout this book.

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.