Historical

Concrete Rose tells the story of 17-year-old Maverick Carter who is a member of a gang, the King Lords, in Garden Heights. Maverick's life was going smoothly until one day when he found out he was going to become a teen father. This book takes readers through the journey of Maverick trying to balance his fatherhood, social life, and gang activity all at once. Angie Thomas does a beautiful job of describing the difficulties of parenthood and the devastation of gang violence while still entertaining her readers and making us feel a connection to the characters. Concrete Rose has become one of my favorite stories because it sparks emotional responses throughout the entire book and feels extremely authentic to the issues discussed. This story is also a prequel to Angie Thomas's best-selling book, The Hate U Give, as Maverick is the father of Starr, the main character of T.H.U.G. It's riveting to see Maverick's story and how he becomes the man he needed to be in order to raise his daughter.

The Great Gatsby is a really good book that I did not expect to like because I was assigned to read it in school. Set prior to the Great Depression, the book sets the stage for how the wealthy lived on the East Coast, while also portraying some of the nation's struggles at that time through various pieces of text and dialogue. The book was a constant surprise to me, and even when I felt confident something would for sure happen the book took an unexpected turn. It is very hard to find a "good" character in the book, seeing as most of them are more "morally gray", and this creates a very interesting dynamic for the reader. Overall it was a very good book, and that's coming from someone who's hated just about every book they've had to read in school.

11th grade

Projekt 1065 is a book about a boy in Nazi Germany in the Hitler Youth. Micheal O’Shaunsssey and his parents moved to Germany during Hitlers rule, though he’s from Ireland. Like any other boy at his school he joined the Hitler Youth. Although Michael and his family are spies; he can’t tell anyone. Michael dislikes everything the Hitler Youth is known for but he needs to get knowledge about plans the Nazis are planning such as Projekt 1065. Michael is in a very dangerous position but he needs to prove his loyalty to the Nazis and risk his life for everything he cares about.
I liked this book a lot. It kept me turning the next page to see what would happen next. I loved the way the book was written with the point of view being from a boy in the Hitler Youth. I recommended this book to anyone interested in this subject and this point of view during these events in time.

Reviewer Grade: 8

Refugee is a great book about three kids trying to seek refuge. Josef was a boy in Nazi Germany in the 1930s trying to escape as a Jew. Isabel, a girl in 1994 trying to leave Cuba during the rule of Fidel Castro. Muhmoud was a boy in Syria in 2015 trying to leave Syria with his family during the war. All three kids and family faced many challenges along the way trying to go to the United States or a place to find home.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the way it was written with each kid telling their point of view during their time. I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to find a new book to read because of all the events that took place making you want to turn each page and see what would happen next. This book was emotional for me but extremely good with teaching you about the characters and the events they went through. After reading this book I have a better understanding of what refugees had to face.

Reviewer Grade: 8

Ground Zero is a book about the events of 9/11 in 2001 and war in Afghanistan in present day. Brandon, a nine year old boy, got into trouble at school and had to stay home, but his dad couldn’t let that happen and decided to take him to work at the World Trade Center in New York City. The date was September 11, 2001, while in the buildings two planes came crashing into them and Brandon and his dad were stuck inside the fire burning building. While in present day Afghanistan Reshmina and her family are surrounded by war. Reshmina has big dreams about peace and opportunities for her and her country. Reshmina’s village gets attacked and she finds a wounded American soldier that she decides to help. The soldier named Taz needs her help but she knows if she gets caught she could be in big trouble.
Ground Zero is an amazing book that everyone should read. There were many twists and turns which picked at my emotions. This book was very emotional for me but extremely good. I loved the way it was written with two stories being told with a clever twist that touches the reader.

Reviewer Grade: 8

TW: This book contains racism and police brutality. If either of these topics trigger you, I would recommend finding a different book.

‘Invisible Man’ is a story about an unnamed black man in the 1930s. He attempts to make his way in the world, but is blocked at every turn by society’s barriers and refusal to see him. He goes from university to the brotherhood trying to find his place. The story includes steady commentary on racism that remains prevalent to this day.

Almost all the main characters have a layer of depth to them. From Dr. Bledsoe to Mary, they all have clear motivations and roles in the story that contributes to the themes. The main character in particular surprised me. It’s not uncommon for the point of view character to be serviceable, but not have many defining traits. This narrator did, though. He was an eloquent speaker and was obsessed with his grandfather’s last words. It’s not the most exaggerated personality, but it was clear and consistent.

The plot moves along nicely, never staying in one place for too long. The progression makes sense, and no scene feels wasted.

This is a classic novel for good reason. I would recommend it to those who are looking for a longer, thought provoking read.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee is a classic exploration of racial injustice and moral growth in Southern United States. The novel's strengths lie in its powerful narrative, addressing societal prejudices through the trial of Tom Robinson. While the coming-of-age story of Scout and Jem Finch provides a strong examination of morality, occasional pacing issues and a less engaging narrative may make it a 3/5 for some readers. Despite this, the novel's enduring relevance and impact on discussions of justice make it a worthwhile read. I found the language in the book somewhat challenging, making it less accessible for me. It occasionally hindered my overall reading experience, but was a treasure of its own!

Originally I was interested in this book because it was highly praised among those who read it. It portrays two sisters and their lives in World War II. One named Isabelle and one named Vianne, it shows the different courses of their lives but in the end their own impact made on those around them. If you are interested in learned about women’s contribution in war this book is for you! I would recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their perspective on war, but be aware this book does touch on some topics that may be triggering. Overall, the Nightingale was a wonderful read that gave me more insight to women’s lives at the time and their contributions.

Grade 10

"The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller is a stunning and deeply moving retelling of the Iliad that captivates from beginning to end, earning a solid 5 stars. Miller skillfully weaves a tale of love, friendship, and heroism, focusing on the relationship between Patroclus and Achilles. The narrative beautifully explores the complexities of their bond, providing a fresh perspective on the legendary characters. Miller's prose is both lyrical and evocative, effortlessly transporting readers to the ancient world. The emotional depth and nuance she brings to the characters make this retelling a triumph, resonating with readers on a profound level. "The Song of Achilles" is a masterpiece that seamlessly combines rich storytelling with timeless themes, earning its well-deserved 5-star rating.

I love how books can give insight into things we might not otherwise know. How, when someone "writes what they know" in an autobiographical sense, the reader gets to experience that slice of their life. I'm not interested in fishing—in any of its styles. And yet, A River Runs Through It gave such a clear picture of what it's like to go fly-fishing that I felt like I had actually experienced it. I'm still not interested in trying it in real life, but now I feel like I get it.

Of course, A River Runs Through It isn't entirely about fly-fishing. There are other universal themes, like fatherhood, brotherhood, sonship, and unity with nature. I can also appreciate that there is a Christian tilt to the main character without being judgmental of the choices his family has made. This unconditional love speaks to what Christianity is all about. That's not to say that the actions of his family aren't frustrating to read about, it's just that going fly-fishing is something that washes away any bad blood.

While it's a quick read, A River Runs Through It doesn't need much to convey the author's genuine attitude toward life. Because it's not about the details of actually fly-fishing that reveal how knowledgeable Maclean is at the sport. There weren't any facades that tried to paint the main character as a saint. All the characters had flaws, just some were more obvious than others. An accurate examination of an individual's life says more about what they've accepted than what they wish they'd wanted to be. And perhaps being in the "natural environment" where they're the most comfortable is the whole point of this book.

A heartfelt love letter to family and fly-fishing, I give A River Runs Through It 4.0 stars out of 5.