What to Say Next

What To Say Next 
by Julie Buxbaum
Review by Ruby

David Drucker. The socially awkward kid who wears big black headphones every day at school. David has no friends but one day, he finds himself sitting across the table from Kit Lowell. David had heard about Kit. Kit was the most popular girl in school. Her dad had died in a car crash recently. He looked at her, her staring at her indian food, and he thought that he should say something to her. Naturally, he just blurted out, “So your dad died.” David had this notebook where he wrote about every single person in her school. He wrote their names, looks, and every encounter he had with them. Under Kit’s name, only a few encounters stood. Kit and David were on complete opposite ends of the social pyramid. Kit and David started talking and eventually, they developed feelings for each other.

David and Kit came up with this project called the “accident project,” where they investigated Kit’s father’s death so that Kit could gain closure. As they sat at a restaurant, Kit and David were talking. Eventually, David found out something about Kit and the accident that she hoped no one would ever find out. David was so proud of himself for finding out that he sounded excited about this awful thing. Kit was mortified because everyone in the restaurant heard what David found out. He messed up. What to Say Next is a coming of age story and learning that not everyone is perfect. Everyone messes up. What to Say Next will leave you in tears and on edge after every chapter. This story is a great book for young adults who are looking for a good read.

A Perfect Book Review of the Book Perfect

Perfect 
By Sara Shepard
Review by Gloria

Emily is a focused swimmer who is hiding her true sexuality from the world, but mainly from her parents. Aria is trying not to involve her mother in Byron, Arias father's, affair. Hanna wants to be skinny again, and she’s ruining friendships because of it. Oh, and spencer, she stole her sister's essay, boyfriend, and fame. And her sister wants payback. All of these girls have nothing in common, but the remains of the friendship they used to have. 3 years ago, Alison Dilaurentis had a tight nit group of friends, except everyone in this tight nit group was lying, and keeping secrets. One night at the beginning of 7th grade Alison starts acting sketchy, and disappears the next day. Leaving Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna in fear for there friends life, and scared for what might happen to theirs.

As these girls attempt to bury their secrets, someone by the name of A (yes that's all he/she goes by) threatens to uncover them. Throughout this book the four ex-best friends have to endure endless text messages, emails, and stunningly vindictive letters. All because, well you have to read the book to find out why, and the other 17 other books along with it.

Sara Shepard brought a whole new world to life with her version of a mysterious (and murderous) small town. Giving the reader a taste of what it's like to lose a friend, be cyber bullied, and go through high school all in one. Perfect, is the third book in in the Pretty Little Liars series. Shepard perfectly captures a young woman's emotions, even though being thirty at the time the book was written. Perfect has 37 chapters, with the narration changing between the four girls. The chapters names seem to sum up its contents adequately, with chapters names ranging from The Rose Bushes Have Eyes (narrated by Emily), to It Was Necessary (narrated by Aria). Compare Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna’s need for drama to a 6 year old girls need for Barbie dolls, it's only fit that the girls make more drama, and get more dolls. Speaking of dolls, A has a few of them, and there names are Aria, Emily, Spencer, and Hanna, if you read this thrilling novel you will know just what A can make the girls do. All in all Perfect will be the perfect book for you (I’m just assuming, if you're reading this you probably have shown some interest in it), and for anyone else who likes teen drama.

Everything, Everything

Everything, Everything
By Nicola Yoon
Reviewed by Sydney

In Everything, Everything, Madeline has a rare medical condition called SCID. SCID stands for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease. She can’t leave her house, and if she does she could die. Her condition is as if she is allergic to the world outside her air locked house. Madeline Whittier has never left her house in 17 years.

Madeline’s life changes after she sees her new neighbor move in, Olly. First they started communicating by writing on their windows with a marker. Then they started instant messaging and emailing each other. He asked why she couldn’t come outside, but she didn’t want to tell him that she is sick, because she didn’t want Olly to treat her like she was different. When Madeline told Olly that she was sick, Olly didn’t treat her differently, but he was more careful about her.

Olly and Madeline fell in love, and I fell in love with them. Olly and Madeline opened up to each other. Madeline’s nurse, Carla, allowed Olly to come over to meet her in person. When they started talking to each other in person, they fell more in love. I think they both knew, once they met, that they were meant to be.

Everything, Everything, was really exciting to read, and the book was really inspiring. The book made me feel what the character felt; when someone was mad, sad, happy, or scared I felt the same way. The details painted a clear picture of what was going on in the story. The characters’ personality were so well explained I almost felt like I knew them. Reading the book, with such clear details, I almost felt like I was watching the movie

Honestly, there was nothing I didn’t like about the book. The book made me feel uplifted and happy. This book made me change the way I feel about the world. The way Madeline explains what she feels, sees, hears, and smells when she went outside made me notice the things around me. This book was heartwarming and I didn’t want it to end.

Julie of the Wolves

Julie of the Wolves
by Jean Craighead George
Reviewed by Annika

Julie of The Wolves is a beautiful novel by Jean Craighead George. The main character, Miyax, or Julie (her english name), is an eskimo who found the situation she was in to be unacceptable. The book is funny, yet serious, simple, yet complex. If you enjoy books about survival or animals, this may be the right book for you!

 Miyax is an Eskimo, and her life was pretty good. That is, until her father disappears and her new protector decides she’s ready to marry. Miyax is excited, until she sees her new husband. Eventually, she decides enough is enough, and runs away to live with her pen pal in San Francisco. Great idea, until she finds herself lost on the North slope of Alaska. Alone and running out of food, Miyax must find a way to survive, and that way happens to be living with a pack of wolves. Eventually, the wolves come to love her as she does them, but Miyax has a decision to make. Will she stay as Miyax with the wolves? Or will she choose to continue on her way, (Somehow!) to San Francisco as Julie?

George’s storytelling is on point, somehow making her story Intriguing and amusing, without having any more main characters than one human and a few wolves. Oh, and eventually an adorable baby bird! Out of 10, I would rate this book a 7.5-8. It is heartbreaking, but heartmending, and is very deep. In some ways, it is a bit confusing, but I would recommend it, as maybe a 7-8th grade reading level.

All in all, I like this story, and I believe it is educational, and that all middle school- Jr. high schoolers should read it. Happy reading!

Sisters

Sisters
By Raina Telgemeier
Reviewed by Serenity

Step into Raina’s world of her and her siblings on a wild road trip and see their child hood growing up. “Sisters” is a fascinating comic book about a girl named Raina, who as a only child really wanted a sister to play with. When Raina finally got that special wish she then wished she could take it back. Having a baby sister was boring because Amara (the baby)didn’t play the same things she did. Having a toddler sister was annoying because growing up Amara always threw fits and temper tantrums.Eventually Will, their new baby brother ,came along.By the time Amara was going into pre-teen Raina was already a teen so she didn’t even want to spend time with anyone.

The book focuses on when their family went on their family week long road trip to Colorado. Two months before the road trip Amara’s pet snake ,Mango, got loose in the car on their way to the pet store and crawled into the middle of the seat and the seat cushion. Raina was afraid of snakes so she didn’t want to sit in the front seat. Raina and her siblings really wanted their dad to drive with them but them but he had work and him and their mom weren’t getting along to much. Then after a long and wild car ride they arrived to Colorado and spent two days with their cousins, which Raina and Amara didn’t really like hanging out with their cousins but they made it through those two days and were back on the road.

On their way back home their car battery died and something worse so Raina and Amara stayed in the car while their mom and Will find a ride to town to find a towing company. While Raina and Amara waited for them to come back Mango comes out of the chair ,but they both don't want to pick him up so they put him in a grocery bag. Raina and Amara get worried for Will and their mom and they are hungry because they have been gone for four hours. When Will and their mom get back they get really excited and relieved and tell their mom everything over some Burger King. To find out more details about their trip and how their cousin's house was, check out “ Sisters” By Raina Telgemeier.

That is how Raina survived the week long road trip,stuck in the car with her 2 siblings and her mom. This book is a true story told by Raina herself about growing up with a brother and sister. It shares childhood memories and all of the Telgemeier’s pets. I recommend this to any kid 9-13 it's a really good book that is fun to read.

The Graveyard Book

The Graveyard Book
By Neil Gaiman
Reviewed by Lily

Neil Gaiman is best known as an author of comic books, graphic novels, and fiction. One such novel, The Graveyard Book, published in 2008, was the first book to win both the Newbery and Carnegie awards. I had enjoyed one of his books in the past, so I was quite excited to begin reading a book of his once again. This book is full of twists and turns as it follows our protagonist, Nobody Owens, known as Bod.

The book begins with two year old Bod escaping his home at night, after a mysterious character simply known as The Man Jack murders his mom, dad, and sister. Bod escapes to a nearby graveyard, and it adopted and raised by the local ghosts. A mysterious resident of the graveyard named Silas, who is neither dead nor alive, appoints himself Bod’s guardian. He is given freedom of the graveyard, which assists him with many abilities that ghosts naturally have. Each chapter finds Bod two years older, resulting in you, the reader, watching him mature. This is a wonderful way to tell a story with a satisfying conclusion, closing one chapter of a person’s life, but still leaving room for the next. It doesn’t leave you begging for a sequel, rather leaving room for one.

Among the book's strengths are character development and scene layout. Bod’s character strengthens as well as weakens as he learns valuable lessons among his usual high jinks. The ghost characters are interesting, but not developed within the book as Bod is. On another note, we have the scene layout. The book sets the atmosphere for every scene so well, you imagine it as you read without having to even think about it. For example, the first scene in the book of Bod’s home is set up in a way that you follow Bod through the dark and empty house, as if you are seeing everything he sees.

Neil Gaiman is wonderful at writing in many genres, he has succeeded at comedy and slice of life in the past, but is also skilled at writing in the style of mystery. This book can be both scary and heartwarming at once, building up a great atmosphere. I felt deeply moved by the ending of the story, and I can guarantee you will feel the same when you choose to read The Graveyard Book.

The New Girl

The New Girl
By Anastasia Suen and Jane Dippold
Review by Aaliyah

The experience of the book “ The New Girl” by Anastasia Suen and Jane Dippold, has been wonderful. Having twists, turns, and unbelievably exciting. You won't believe what happens yeah I know you think that this an ordinary book but every time you turn a page you find something new. This book takes you inside an adventurous place you’ve never been before. The journey from the page number 1 to page number 123 is an amazing experience.This Realistic Fiction book has something special with things that we all been through or haven’t but can relate. This book engages with kids that like books that aren’t too serious but this book isn’t to goofy. This book has a lot of jaw droppers and chuckles here and there.

The book is about girl who attends a new school and is having trouble fitting in and doesn’t really understand why. This book explains what kids that are new in school are being bullied. And this helps kids who have done things to new kids or just kids in general. And it can help the kids who have been bullied. I like this book because at the end it lets you choose what happens at the end.This helps elementary and middle school students engage in reading with this book because it is kind of impossible to be boring or students can relate.

The author added good enough detail that made me understand. The details aren’t too confusing nor too much detail that bores you. This also explains how i would recommend this for kids or preteens. This book leaves a positive ending. This book is nothing too sad. This book would probably be a little kiddish it depends who is reading some like serious some don’t.And thats why you should read the fabulous book The New Girl.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid
By Jeff Kinney
Reviewed by Kiree

The book Diary of A Wimpy Kid was great! What was so interesting about it you may ask? If you’re teenager, even if you're older,you will enjoy this book. This book will make you feel like , a normal person. If you think you're the only person with really crazy flaws in the world, think again and take time to read this book. I am certain this book will make you feel happy while reading.

The book Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about kid named Greg Heffley. Greg wants to be like all of the other normal kids at the school but things do not seem to be working out very well for him. His best friend Rowley is also going through the same situation. They are both having a difficult time just being the average kid. Greg's mom wants him to stop playing video games so much and actually go play outside, like she used to do when she was younger. Greg's father wants him to do the same except, He wants him to do more like play football or, get a job, while Greg Just wants to play video games and be a normal kid like the other kids at his school. People from all over his town seem to be making it harder and harder for him to do so.

If I had to rate this book i would definitely rate it as 5 stars. I would rate this a 5 star nook because, in my opinion, it was very amusing and and it was an easy book to read. Once I started reading it, it was very difficult to stop. I would recommend this book to someone who likes a lot of pictures in their books. I would also recommend it as a guides on how be a normal teenager. I would not recommend this book if you enjoy reading serious stories. This book would not be recommended for anyone who wants to read a mature or higher age rated book.

This was a fun book to read and made me love reading even more than I already do. I believe once others take time to read it, they will agree. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an excellent read for young and old.

The Westing Game

The Westing Game
By Ellen Raskin
Reviewed by Katherine

I read the book The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. This was an amazing book that my brother recommended that I should read. I recommend this book to anyone who likes murder mysteries and suspenseful stories. I love reading those kinds of books, so, naturally, I liked this book even before I started it.

Sam Westing, the founder of Westingtown (in Wisconsin) and owner of Westing Paper Products Corporation, left his mansion to his sixteen heirs in his will, which was read after he was murdered. The heirs were Madame Hoo, Jake Wexler, Turtle Wexler, Flora Baumbach, Chris Theodorakis, Denton Deere, Sandy McSouthers, J.J. Ford, Grace Wexler, James Hoo, Crow, Otis Amber, Theo Theodorakis, Doug Hoo, Angela Wexler, and Sydelle Pulaski. All were chosen to play “The Westing Game”. The sixteen heirs were split into teams of two and given a set of clues and $10,000. The clues supposedly led to Sam Westing’s murderer. The clues were not clear; they seemed like random words just drawn out of a hat. The clues weren’t the only mysterious thing going on: four explosions occurred, Theo was playing a game of chess with an unknown opponent. The object of the Westing Game was to find the murderer without getting killed yourself. Who was setting off the bombs? Who was the mysterious chess opponent? And, most importantly, who killed Sam Westing?

This was one of the best books I have ever read because it was full of depth with plot twists that made me rethink everything that I thought I knew, like who set off the bombs and who everyone really was. This book really keeps you on the edge of your seat. It also was very funny, and a really hard book to put down.

Star Crossed

Star Crossed
by Barbara Dee
Reviewed by Abigail

Crushes are never easy. Whether it being afraid, unsure, or just completely flustered all the time, there are never just a simple thing. Especially in 8th grade, where everyone is watching couples every move.

Star Crossed is a book about every typical 8th grade crush. Maddie’s story follows her, her friends Tessa and Lucy, and her crush the beautiful and kind Gemma. As Maddie struggles with her feelings for Gemma, opening night for the 8th grade play Romeo and Juliet comes ever closer. Maddie is cast as Romeo after another student drops out, leaving her next to her Juliet; Gemma. With all the stress of the play, her friends are starting to catch onto Maddie’s crush and are pressing her more and more about it each day.

The author Barbara Dee translates Shakespeare's beautiful story of Romeo and Juliet into a modern day love story. She used clever clues and brilliant writing to make a story that leaves you wanting more. My rating for this book is high, at least 9/10. My only criticism is that the story moves along a bit slow in the beginning, but overall really amazing. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a casual queer story.

The books a little below 7th grade reading level, but it’s still an interesting story. I’m glad that there are more books like this where characters can have a same sex relationship without it being the main topic of the story. And the author's subtle hints and storytelling that leads the reader into a moment of realization whenever you see things meetup. In conclusion, I feel like this book is a great story of literature and cleverness, and recommend it to everyon

The Name of This Book Is Secret

The Name of This Book Is Secret 
By Pseudonymous Bosch
Reviewed by Brandon

In this book the author does not tell you his name, which I mean is awesome.. After some pages you find that it is filled with hashtags. It’s background information, and he can’t tell us that/ The story follow Cass, if that even is her real name. Cass is a survivalist, and is always prepared She makes friends in school with a boy called Max-Ernst, who is not your typical Max. His parents are divorced but live in one house. His father and mother divided the house down the middle - one side's for the father, the other's for the mother.The mystery begins when the pair investigate a dead magicians house and finds his diary. There's a 400-year-old witch who's the main villain, named Mrs. Mauvais or The Golden Lady. The story has many turns. Much is up to the reader to take it as they wish. It has many thrilling adventures, like going to a spa where you bathe in gold to follow a kidnapped artist. Or the story about the Bergamo Brother’s (One is the magician) and how they have synesthesia. All to figure out the burning secret!

In my opinion this is a magnificent book. Very well crafted, and full of thrills. From the beginning it sucks you in and you keep reading. You want to figure the secret out, and so it keeps you on your toes. Twists and turns litter this story. A good book for thrill seekers and risk takers. I have read this book many times, and each time it’s still amazing. I am so happy that the secret doesn’t end in just one book. It;’s a 5 part series. A 4 more excellently crafted books to fill our readers desires.

The Perfect Score

The Perfect Score
By Rob Buyea
Reviewed by Piper



If you like humor, and books with multiple views, you would like Rob Buyea’s new book; The Perfect Score. I really enjoyed this book, once I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. This book is good for most ages and teaches us the real meaning in life is to help as much as possible without breaking any rules. Much like Because of Mr.Terupt, also by Rob Buyea, The Perfect Score has multiple views of different students that are all in Mrs.Woods sixth grade class.

 In the bunch there is Randi whose mother is pressuring her to be the top gymnast and be on the A honor roll. Gavin, who loves football, has always had bad grades at school and feels as dumb as his father who dropped out of high school to be a plumber. Trevor tries to act tough and mean and doesn’t listen to anyone, but really he is just getting hurt by his older brother and his goons. Scott has a big heart and wants to help out everyone especially his grandfather, but his plans don’t go that well. Natalie is by far the most engaged person in the class, therefore the smartest. She wishes to become a lawyer and follows all the rules until the SAT’s that she feels she must break a few of them.

At first, most of the students didn’t like Mrs.Woods. She was a no-nonsense old lady that was strict but inside, very sweet. When she read all the kids were memorized and hated when reading time was over. When all the kids were getting used to Mrs.Woods and her spectacular reading, it was time to prepare the SAT’s.

Three months before the tests, the school feels that they need to prepare more. They took away the kids recess and reading time. All the students have something to lose if they don’t ace them, so they make up a plan. Will their plan succeed?

I really enjoyed The Perfect Score. This is the perfect size to read in about a month. I love the multiple views, it helps create the perfect story but not to complicated that you can’t understand it. I hope you get this book at the bookstore and library and enjoy it as much as I did.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre
By Charlotte Bronte
Reviewed by Ellise

Being an orphan and being stuck with your crazy aunt and cousins at a young age seems bad enough. Imagine you then get sent to an extreme boarding school that you are stuck at for eight years. It all seems bad, right? It only gets crazier from there in Jane Eyre.

Jane starts life as an orphan with family issues. Her aunt sends her off to boarding school, where Jane adopts many new skills and endures lots of pain. After finishing school, Jane proceeds to find work as a governess under Mr. Rochester, working with the child he has taken in. Jane soon finds herself falling in love with her master, keeping her supplied with lots of pain and confusion.

Her story of love does not fail to amuse. Charlotte Brontë opens up a world of romance and confusion in this third edition of Jane Eyre. The reader gets to dive into a page-turner about Jane and her journey through life. The many plot twists and cliffhangers are guaranteed keep you interested. Jane founds out that Mr. Rochester is to be married, and it toys with her feelings. Many exciting things proceed to happen prior to the news of his engagement, including her (almost) getting married to Mr. Rochester.

Charlotte Brontë unveils many surprises and plot twists along the way, keeping you interested the whole way through. Jane runs away without any provisions and gets miles away from Thornfield (where she was a governess) to somebody’s doorstep. The man, St. John, decides to take her in, and Jane develops new relationships with these new friends. Jane goes to find Mr. Rochester, and yet another surprise is unveiled. Including Jane, the many diverse and interesting characters like Mrs Fairfax, Adelé, Mr. Rochester, Mrs. Reed, Bessie, St. John, and Diana make up this wonderful adventure through Jane’s life. Anyone who reads this is sure to be slightly, if not very, entertained and amused.

This book is highly recommended to anyone who likes reading of the secrets of somebody’s life, and who likes a good romance. Brontë’s style of writing could make the book a bit slow at times, but sticking it out until the good parts makes it all worth it. I highly enjoyed Jane Eyre, and I think anyone who enjoys reading will.

A fair warning to readers like me who are not really into reading long books: the book is over 450 pages long, so keep that in mind as you choose your next read. It should be no problem if you are willing to read a thrilling and enchanting life story that keeps you interested.

Pandora Gets Jealous

Pandora Gets Jealous
By Carolyn Hennessy
Reviewed by Lily



When I started reading Pandora Gets Jealous, I didn’t know what to expect. I had previously heard of the series from former classmates, but I hadn’t read any books by Carolyn Hennessy, the author of the book. I found that Pandora Gets Jealous is a very simple and interesting book to read. It’s the first in a series of books, all a rather action-packed and simple retelling of the Greek Myth of Pandora and the box of evils.

 The story follows Pandora, a student at the Athena Maiden Middle School, who one day brings a mysterious box to school for her project on the gods. The box was given to her father, Prometheus, by Zeus. However, the box is opened by two of Pandora’s classmates, Helen and Hippia, and it is revealed that seven evils are inside of the box. Pandora and her family are summoned to Mount Olympus, where Zeus orders Pandora to locate the evils and return them to the box. Zeus’s wife, Hera, gives Pandora a map to locate the evils, but first, she must find the key to decipher it. After discovering a way to read the map, Pandora sets off on her journey to retrieve the evils.

Pandora Gets Jealous has many strengths, including an easy to understand plot and well-developed characters. The storyline is a wonderful example of how sometimes, less is more. The story is not very complex, but it doesn’t linger on key events. The entire story is balanced out, switching between key events of the book and actions or descriptions in between. The characters feel real in their reactions to situations, and you can tell how they’re feeling without the book telling you.

 On the other hand, the main weakness of the way the story is told is that it doesn’t take enough time to explain things. The story, in its most important scenes, only focused on the plot instead of explaining how the event occurred. I often found myself re-reading pages before important scenes thinking I missed a page, only to find that sometimes it switches from one event to another without anything in between two important chapters

In my opinion, Pandora Gets Jealous is a fairly good book. It has relatable characters and a well balanced story. It definitely has its moments, even though it is too fast paced at times. I would definitely recommend reading Pandora Gets Jealous or any of the sequels if you’re looking for an interesting story that grabs your attention and leaves you wanting more.

The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in our Stars
by John Green
Review by Rhagan

The marvelous book by John Green that shows you another side of a love story that does not have a happy ending.

The book is about hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters; they are two star-cross lovers who go on a journey to meet their favorite books an apperial afflicion author of Amsterdam. The only problem is Hazel grace has stage four lung cancer and she goes through her ups and down with Augustus to meet the author Peter Van Hoution.

John Green made everyone's heart break in this novel. Hazel Grace is a calm, non elaborate person but Augustus was the opposite he was elaborate and he has the best sense of humor and he was also an energetic guy.

This book was amazing in every single shape and form this book can be for tweens, teens, and adults and if you're in one of those groups I suggest you read it.