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.

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich

Reviewed by: Gianna M.
Grade 9

The first paragraph of Dear Evan Hansen does have a catchy grabber, and makes the reader want to continue reading the book. The book is about Evan, a boy with anxiety who writes letters to himself as part of his therapy program. One day, a classmate of his gets a hold of Evan's most recent letter. Connor, the classmate, thinks the letter is a prank on him and takes it home. Connor kills himself the next day, and his parents think that the letter is from Connor to Evan. Evan then has to pretend that he was friends with Connor, by creating a fake string of emails.

The character development in 'Dear Evan Hansen' is excellent, with Evan realizing what really matters and becoming more brave. His characterization is also very well-done, and the reader can relate his struggles. The supporting characters are very unique, and are very well written.

I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with identity, loneliness, or social anxiety. The book has a great plot, rounded characters, and a great lesson about honesty. This is also a great book for anyone in their teens.

Librarian note: This novel is based on the Broadway play of the same name. The libretto and the Broadway cast recording are also available to check out at the Winter Park Public Library.

Starworld by Audrey Coulthurst and Paula

Reviewed by Samantha T.
Grade 10

Starworld delves the reader into the lives of two girls, a loner and a popular girl, who unexpectedly become friends. They find an escape in each other from their difficult and harsh lives, but feelings for one another soon develop into feelings for more.

The novel follows Sam Jones and Zoe Miller as they both struggle with family issues and school life. Loner Sam has difficulty dealing with her mother's OCD and a lack of a father in her life. Zoe has to struggle with the fact that her mother has cancer, she’s adopted, and that her disabled brother is going to be sent away to a facility. They unexpectedly become friends and they find an escape in each other and the world of text messages that they created. They develop a strong friendship that soon grows into feelings of beyond just that.

The characters within Starworld are well-rounded and thought out. For example, Zoe Miller is adopted and her entire life she tries to be a people-pleaser so that she can prove to her family that she isn’t a liability and that she belongs with them. Zoe struggles with wanting to be her complete self due to the fact that she wouldn’t make others happy if she did. Within the book, Zoe has to face difficult decisions that makes her choose between making her family happy, her friends happy, or Sam happy.

I highly recommend this book due to the fact that it has a wonderful lesson that it teaches you. Starworld’s message is that you can’t make everyone happy, but you should always strive to make yourself happy. Books similar to this are The Lost Coast by Amy Rose Capetta and Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan.