Monsters Among Us by Monica Rodden

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

In our everyday lives, we tend to not think of victims of any kind. Monica Rodden set out to change that with her book, Monsters Among Us. While the description promised a thriller, I found it to be only slightly harrowing, with a lot of time for thought and reflection, and very little action.

The story centers on Catherine Ellers, who has recently returned from her freshman semester in college after being assaulted. It begins with her at home in the wake of the attack, where she expects to cope and recuperate in peace. But peace is not in store for her. When a friend of hers is murdered, it shatters her, and she embarks on a quest to find the murderer. But because nothing in life is simple, there is a young man by the name of Andrew Worthington, whose connection to her goes far deeper than she expected. She now must venture into the part of her mind that blocked the memory of who he is-and she must find the killer.

The message of this book is hard to pin down because there are so many themes and subplots. There is an overall theme of Wuthering Heights, with a modern, sinister twist to it, and it deals heavily with violence against women. The characters are interesting, and there is great promise with the mystery of Andrew Worthington. Catherine is understandably incapable of trusting anyone, and works hard to put the past behind her. She relates to people well, and is a great friend. The secondary characters are also interesting, such as her childhood friend Henry, whom she enlists to help her. While they are interesting, though, they could stand to be fleshed out a bit more. The POV also switches according to what happened in the previous chapter, which can be a bit confusing because sometimes Rodden does not explain everything.

This book comes with such heavy themes that I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone. If you like activism for women’s rights and can handle strong language, then this book may be for you. A similar book I would recommend is Damsel by Elana K. Arnold. While I agree with the overall message of the book, there are so many underlying ones that it led to confusion. Because of these two reasons, I would give this book a 3/5 star rating.

Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

Reviewed by Maansi C.
Grade 11

In the book Dear Justyce by Nic Stone, the author explores the thoughts and situations of an innocent, black young man dealing with being in prison.

Dear Justyce explains the thoughts and situations of a character named Vernell LaQuan Banks aka Quan serving time for something he didn’t do. He writes letters to his friend Justyce McAllister, who is the main character in Dear Martin, about his life in prison. Aside from the letters, each chapter also has snapshots that show instances that affect Quan's life. Some are in the present and others are situations that led to Quan being in prison. Through all the information that is learned through the snapshots and letters in the chapters, Justyce is able to try and figure out a way to help Quan out with the situation that he is in.

Author Nic Stone uses different media when writing the book. The letters give you insight as to how Quan is feeling when he is in prison and trying to talk to the outside. It makes you sympathize with him because of the emotion you feel when you read them, but that is not always shown in what he writes in the letter. The snapshots bring another element to the book. It shows the different situations that the author believes are important to the premise of the book. You can see the different situations that lead to Quan being wrongly accused and also what is happening to help him in the present. Nic Stone always comes up with interesting ways to portray her stories across and this is a great example.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested. It gives you insight into something that you might not really understand or want to learn more about. Nic Stone does an amazing job showing the discrimination and injustice that is faced every day. 

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

What lengths would you go to in order to achieve your dream? This is the central question of Sherri L. Smith’s novel, Flygirl, which takes place in the early 1940s. In a land plagued by Jim Crow laws, one courageous girl takes to the skies against all odds.

A bright, eighteen-year-old named Ida Mae Jones is working as a housemaid and saving money for flight lessons in Chicago. Because of her light-skin, she has been afforded with alternatives to being colored, known as “passing”, even though it goes against her morals. When she hears about the WASP program, she seizes the opportunity to become a pilot for the Army and begins passing to make her dream happen. However, she encounters more problems than she planned for, including discrimination against women. Now she is forced to make a choice: will she turn against her own people and self in order to not get caught? Or will she be true to herself, no matter what?

I found the struggle in this book to be compelling. I was able to identify with the character and the struggles she went through as she battled with herself, asking where the line is drawn between right and wrong. However, I found the author’s style to be a bit light-hearted, and she skipped around the weightier matters that would have given the characters in the book more depth. Ida Mae is kind and honest, and she bonds quickly with people, but because the narration mostly told instead of showed, I was not able to properly understand and get to know the side characters other than on a superficial level. For example, the reader never really sees Walter Jenkins, but he is an important fixture in the book. In addition, the plot has promise but likewise was not as developed as I thought it would be. Although she comes into conflict because of her skin tone, Ida is generally focused on the war, as others around her are. There is a little conflict about women’s rights, but that too went mostly unexplored, which is a shame because it would have added a bit more nuance to the book. 

Overall I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. Despite limited character development and conflict, the plot has promise and the conflict is powerful. Ida Mae really grows and comes into her own, and I loved how she stayed true to her values. Because of this I would recommend this book to others and I sincerely hope they enjoy it. 

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 11

Do you enjoy puzzles? Riddles? Codes? Twists? Secrets? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then The Inheritance Games will definitely be a novel you’ll want to try out! Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ newest creation includes all of the elements mentioned above, as well as romance, humor, danger, and an intricate plot that will keep you in suspense all the way until the end of the story (and even after).

Avery Grambs doesn’t realize how dramatically her life will change when she heads to the principal’s office of her high school. On an ordinary day, she is visited by a strange boy, Grayson Hawthorne, who informs her that her presence is mandatory for the reading of his grandfather’s will. Avery has no recollection of ever coming into contact with the deceased multibillionaire, so no one understands why he bequeaths her with essentially his entire fortune. However, there is a catch: She must live in his expansive mansion for a year, and she does not have the power to kick out the family who already inhabits Hawthorne House--the family who just disinherited almost all of Tobias Hawthorne’s wealth. When Avery realizes she was left with clues that will hopefully lead to answers, she embarks on a journey to solve the final puzzle her benefactor left behind.

Every character that Barnes introduced played a major role in the story, from the late Tobias Hawthorne to the homeless man Avery played chess with at the park. The setting was largely at Hawthorne House, but the hundreds of rooms and passageways created a place that will constantly make you wonder what will be discovered next. The plot was woven together so complexly; you’ll question how a specific detail fits in the story at all, but once it’s explained, it makes perfect sense! When reading the novel, I felt like I was a part of it, involved in the narrative and wanting to solve the mysteries with the same amount of determination as the characters. And I think those stories, the ones that make us feel like we’re in them, are truly the best ones.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves staying up late at night reading because you have to know what’s coming next. The author’s style will leave you guessing constantly, with all the twists and turns she adds to every chapter. Barnes put a lot of creativity into producing this masterpiece, and I think young adults will realize that as they read. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited about a novel, so you should definitely give it a try. I have a feeling it won’t disappoint!

Two Best of 2020

 Written by Hope M. & Trip G.

While so many great YA novels were released in 2020, we’ve only chosen two as the absolute best. The Teen Book Guild was born just back in September and we examined numerous books; some were wonderful, some disappointing, and others simply left us feeling lukewarm. Our two highest-ranked novels were chosen for this list due to the well-written execution of their plots, and we think they are books that countless people will find enjoyable.

Hope’s favorite: 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes – Suzanne Collins

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capitol, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a fantastic addition to the YA collection and was highly anticipated among fans of The Hunger Games series. The author, Suzanne Collins, demonstrated remarkable character development throughout the book and provided a well-written backstory, including suspense, romance, and an important moral lesson. Collins’s spin-off of The Hunger Games plot will keep readers engaged until the very end, making this a definite best of 2020.

Trip’s favorite: 

Starsight – Brandon Sanderson

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Reckoners series, the Mistborn trilogy, and the Stormlight Archive comes the second book in an epic series about a girl with a secret in a dangerous world at war for humanity's future.

Published in very late 2019, Sanderson’s Starsight, the sequel to his Skyward, deserves mention. While I read many, many books, Starsight was by far the best of the YA books read. With reasonable character development that avoided common pitfalls I have often seen in new YA books and happening over a longer period of time without reaching a point where less avid readers would be able to follow the story, it can catch and hold your attention.

We believe you will certainly find at least one of these novels to be entertaining: you should definitely consider putting them on your to-read list!

Be Not Far From Me by Mindy McGinnis

Reviewed by Hope M.
Grade 11

As I was considering what new book I should read, Be Not Far From Me grabbed my attention. I skimmed through the plot summary on the inside cover of the book and thought it might be an interesting story. However, upon reading the first few pages, I realized this was not going to be a page-turner. In comparison to the summary, the actual story was dull, illogical, and to be honest, uneventful.

The tale centers on Ashley Hawkins, a poor teenager who has a love for running and aspires to develop a future with that passion. She also appears to be deeply knowledgeable of nature. The story begins with a hike that Ashley, her friends, and her boyfriend take in the Smoky Mountains, just out for a night of drinking and partying. However, when Ashley finds her boyfriend cheating on her, she races off randomly into the darkness. Only when she plummets into a ravine does she stop her mad dash. The rest of the book is her attempt to escape the forest with a gruesome injury on her leg. Ashley must put her survival skills to the test, and when her own mentor didn’t make it out alive, what chance does she possibly have?

Although the plot sounds exciting at first glance, I found the novel to be quite boring. Because Ashley was by herself for roughly 95% of the story, there wasn’t as much dialogue as I prefer in books. Additionally, it never felt like there was a climax. Even though different circumstances arose, the tone felt the same the entire time I was reading, giving the story a very uneventful vibe. The fact that Ashley, who is apparently gifted in the ways of nature and KNEW the dangers of leaving the trail, couldn’t remember how foolish it would be to do just that is pretty far-fetched. I understand that being cheated on is a traumatic experience, but it still didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.

I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone unless you enjoy reading something that's almost all description with little social interaction. As I mentioned previously, the novel was really a “straight line” in terms of excitement. While I think a good lesson was provided at the end, I would tell anyone who is considering this book to leave it on the shelf. Once you’ve read the plot summary, you’ve read the whole book.

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber

Reviewed by Lacey R.
Grade 11

Most people have a place they go when they need a break from life, where they go for solitude, peace, or just to feel nothing. There could be a certain room in one’s house, a diner, a park, or even the beach, but for 17-year-old Reiko Smith-Mori, it is the California desert. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Katherine Webber is a book filled with romance and intrigue--the story of a girl who had it all: the looks, the grades, the confidence, but all that changed when she lost her sister. She finds peace and solitude in the desert, and unexpectedly, a boy. This book relays the ups and downs of the pair’s relationship, if it could even call it that.

Reiko, is what one would call “an average teenage girl,” but she is far from average. She struggles with maintaining her veil of perfection, which can be depicted through her thoughts and sometimes extreme action. What those around her don't see is that she is not well, she is grieving her sister's loss, and moreover, repressing it. Someone stands in her way and isn't letting her move on--her sister, Mika, who she still sees and talks to as if she has not passed. Reiko, to escape the heartache of her sister, often escapes to the desert to relax. One night when she wanders out to the desert, she runs into a boy. They bond over a dreamlike moment of time, with the bright moon casting a soft glow across the abyss and the serenity of the desert night. The next day she sees him at school, and over time their relationship grows, until it doesn't. They unexpectedly and slowly grow apart, both dealing with dramatic changes. Reiko has to navigate her world of popularity contests, suppressed emotions and grief, and now a rocky relationship that may have been doomed from the start.

The book has a well-thought-out plot, yet character development would have made the read much more enjoyable. The plot follows the main character and her struggle of losing a loved one, with small scenes and short chapters, but the timeline becomes confusing. The rapid pace only deterred the characterization. The characterization, or lack thereof, seemingly changed the message of the book. While the author is trying to show the negative effects of miscommunications, there wasn't much communication between the writer and the audience. Emotions were told directly through the internal dialogue of the main character instead of actions or reactions. 

The book was a quick read, and seemed as if it were a quick write as well. There were chapters that did nothing for the plot, only reiterated something that was already known, useless conversations between characters, spontaneous trips that were only set up for later chapters to reveal something unimportant. There were many clichés in the book, with lines written in a way that it seems I have read them before, such as  “You’re selfish and spoiled, and usually you can get away with it, because you’re beautiful and charming,” which shows an overplayed arc and cheap characterization that is directly revealed to the audience.

Overall, if you are looking for a quick read for a school project, this is it, but if you are looking for a good book with a cute romance story, I would not recommend Only Love Can Break Your Heart. It seems as if the book was written in a short amount of time, with little attention to character development, conflict, and plot. The moral was produced in a way that was slightly insulting to the readers, such as a Disney movie about never judging a book by its cover; this book’s moral is that you never know what is going on with someone else and a lack of communication can be detrimental. The deeper moral, that was scattered throughout the chapters with a repetitive trope and a rocky relationship, was that to move past something, you must accept it first, which is of course a good lesson to learn, but in this book it seemed cheap. A book with a similar lesson would be The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds, which goes about accepting loss and love, in a more defined and readable way.

Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson & Ellen Hagan

Reviewed by Annabelle L.
Grade 12

Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan is a book that follows four teenage activists in high school and the struggles they face based on their gender, race, and appearance. The chapters are divided by month and perspective. The story switches between two of the main characters: Jasmine and Chelsea.

Jasmine is a fat, black young woman who enjoys theater. Chelsea is an insecure, white young woman who loves to write. They are both very outspoken and attend a school well-known for its progressiveness with their other two friends: Nadine and Isaac. Despite how progressive the school advertises itself to be, it is not without the everyday prejudices against those who do not fit societal expectations. These four, in trying to promote activism and speaking out through their school club, end up in hot water with the administration. Of course, they fight back.

The book is beautifully written, showcasing fantastic poetry from the characters that develop them and the story more. It touches on subjects that most coming of age and activist YA novels skim over. Examples of this include the effect of the beauty industry on women and men, the controversial topic of Henrietta Lacks, and the pigeonhole of POC-related roles and stereotypes in media. 

They do fall into the common pitfall of feminism: male equality. A few examples of this include one of the main characters using the word "womanist" instead of feminist (which toes the line of misandry) and Isaac being called weak for not doing something he is uncomfortable with (most likely as a joke, however that is not an excuse). 

The characters are very diverse in race, ethnicity, and body type (but not so much in gender or sexuality). They have flaws, are well developed, and multi-faceted. For example, Chelsea despises the industries that would take advantage of her but still feels the pressure of the societal standards women are held to. There is a theme of lack of consequences and resolution throughout the book, which might be intentional on the authors' part considering most of the people who get away with their shenanigans are white. A teacher pushes a racist stereotype on a black student, is called out on it, and, though it is mentioned a few times throughout the story, there is no resolution. Students dress as racist caricatures on school property and get away with it. One male student sexually harasses multiple female students and gets away with it.

There's also no follow up with one of the main character's love interests after he ceases to be relevant to the story. It's almost as if he completely disappears. It even shows up in the finale. Watch Us Rise finished with an open-ending. The reader won't get to see the pay-off, but they do get the experience of trying to enact change. It's not as satisfying as I would like but it is a very good ending all around.

I would recommend reading this book. It's a good portrayal of the frustrations of high school as someone who doesn't fit societal standards. There are a lot of little things about this book that I have critiques about but as a whole, it's a very engaging story. It has an accurate portrayal of sexual harassment and how it is typically dealt with (i.e. not at all), it highlights women of color in all fields, and it has a good message about body positivity. 

Not many writers get an accurate sense of what high school is like or how teenagers talk to each other, but the dialogue doesn't feel forced. I would believe these were real conversations that people were having with each other. The only real criticism I have is, though the book is about activism, it's very cishet-centered activism. LGBT themes are vaguely mentioned but never focused on. The story talks about minority representation but mainstream media is very hetero-normative. Otherwise, the writing is captivating and the poetry is phenomenal. 8.5/10, would recommend.

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne

Reviewed by Annabelle
Grade 12

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne is a futuristic YA novel that takes place in space. An ice age on Earth has forced humanity to the stars for centuries, with no end in sight. Ships are beginning to fail, some due to mechanical failure and others to a mysterious virus infecting the inhabitants.

The story follows Stella Ainsley, a young woman who gets an upgrade in her working position to be a private governess. She begins the story working in a poor, cramped, and struggling spaceship as an engineer and part-time teacher looking for other job opportunities. Her co-workers, though they understand why she is doing it, do not believe she will be able to escape her current situation. Luckily for her, one of her job requests is accepted! She is offered a teaching position on the illustrious, private, and rich ship: The Rochester. Her new boss is the handsome Captain Hugo who places her in charge of educating his younger sister, Jessa. As Stella works on the ship, odd things happen that nobody wants to talk about: arson, attacks, sabotage. She needs to figure out the truth and fast. She suspects lives could be at stake.

Donne's story does an excellent job of portraying government collusion to protect the wealthy and eliminate the poor. She does human persistence and adaptability justice, which is something not many science-fiction authors are capable of. Her main character is a perceptive, multi-skilled young woman with ambitious goals to improve her life. Stella is friendly and sociable, befriending most characters she meets throughout the book. Though lawful good, following the rules she is given, Stella is often described by other characters as bold, usually in reference to her rare protocol breaches when she speaks her mind to those above her status. In these instances, the reader would not see it as "boldness" but as the appropriate thing to do. It is later when she has to take on a government conspiracy almost alone that we see her true boldness. Captain Hugo's character, though, leaves much to be desired. He comes off like a White Boy Of The Month, all privilege and prestige but no actual desirable aspects past his appearance. His actions never have real consequences. He is a liar and keeps major secrets. Though the story ends before we can see if Hugo changes these negative character traits, how he is written does not give me much confidence.

The story, I admit, attracted me because it took place in space but I wouldn't recommend reading this book. Stella is an intriguing character but, in the end, is mildly disappointing. The story doesn't end satisfyingly with the solution feeling rushed. One, if not several, of the characters commit a war crime and it is not given the severity that is deserved. They don't even receive meaningful consequences for their actions, though that does not stop the other characters from acting as if they do. Overall, I gained nothing from the experience except a feeling of indignation and disappointment.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Reviewed by Kaitlyn K.
Grade 11

Do you like fantasy and folklore? Have you ever read a story based on African folklore? If not, you should try reading A Song ofWraiths and Ruin! Brown takes you back in time to a medieval setting and immerses you in a world like no other.

A refugee named Malik enters the desert city of Ziran during the Solstasia festival. This festival occurs once every fifty years and brings great hope to him and his two sisters. However, a spirit captures his younger sister and the only thing that the spirit truly wants is vengeance against the princess, Katrina. While Malik is trying to get closer to the princess to kill her, Katrina is facing her own problems, starting with an assassination and ending with a traitor. This book leaves you guessing at what the next page will bring.

The characters are brought to life in this fun, action-filled novel. Along the way Brown introduces several creatures included in African mythology that either leave you on the edge of the page or gasping in disbelief. The characters are brought to life as well, Katrina is shown as a musician in a bar as a way of escape from palace life while Malik's loyalty and compassion drives his every move.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy or retellings of old fairy tales. The style is very realistic, and the issues that arise are accurately depicted in a way that also entertains. There are also several action scenes throughout the books, and those were my personal favorites!