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Reasons to by Happy by Katrina Kittle (review by Nikita R. ’16)

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Reasons to Be HappyReasons to Be Happy by Katrina Kittle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Normally spunky and fearless, Hannah Carlisle begins to succumb to her insecurities as she enters a cruel high school, struggles with an imperfect figure, and worst-of-all, confronts her mother’s cancer. Despite her affluent household and movie-star parents, Hannah experiences emotions relatable to any teenager. Through her personal fight against bulimia, she provides an insightful view into the destructive nature of eating disorders, along with an inspiring account of struggling to remain true to herself despite peer pressure. Reasons to Be Happy is a great read for almost any teenager, and would be enjoyed by most adults too. – Nikita R. ‘16

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Captured by Erica Stevens (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Captured (The Captive, #1)Captured by Erica Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Aria, daughter of the head of the human resistance, is captured by members of the vampire race, she hopes for a quick death. Just as she is about to be sold to a malicious vampire, however, a member of the ruling class claims her for himself. Although she is curious as to his reason — he has no need for a blood slave — Aria is determined to hate him for the destruction his race has caused and for his princely title. But as he opens up to her and reveals a side that she never believed could exist in a vampire, she cannot help but fall for him even as she struggles to maintain her identity as a member of the resistance. Captured takes on a typical plotline: Human girl and vampire boy fall in love. While building a strong romance, Stevens maintains a focused, fresh and surprisingly interesting story line and fully develops her characters. Readers looking for a twist on the clichéd human-vampire love tragedy will enjoy Captured and will likely be hooked to follow up quickly with the second in Stevens’ series, Renegade. – Anushka D. ’15

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Crank by Ellen Hopkins (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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Crank (Crank, #1)Crank by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Good girl Kristina Georgia Snow begs to visit her father in New Mexico so she can reconnect with the man wrenched from her life and once again be his little princess. When she arrives her dreams crash as she takes in the drug addict her father has become along with his less-than-kingly castle and job. Before long, however, she falls in love with a boy and is swept into the dangerous world of drugs, a world that follows her when she returns home to her mother. Written creatively and realistically, Crank follows Kristina’s descent into a hell that ravages her family, friends, and life. Although she is difficult to understand and often unlikeable, the narration accurately depicts her addiction, pain, and struggle. Based on a true story, the book makes the reader think about what many teens face today. The sequel should be just as tumultuous and dark, and just as worthy a read! – Anushka D. ‘15

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Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (review by Anushka D. ’15)

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SpeakSpeak by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year dreading to see the people she once called her best friends. She ruined any chances of being popular or even having friends when she called the cops during a summer party. But what no one knows is that Melinda is hiding something about what happened at the party, something that devastated her. Anderson uses heartbreakingly beautiful prose to deliver a story about a reality many teens have to face. By concealing the horrible truth even from the readers, she leaves them no choice but to read as Melinda falls apart. While Melinda is distant from everyone, she manages to create a strong impression on the readers, capturing their hearts with her loneliness and despair. Anderson keeps the plot focused, never straying to include petty romance or overcomplicated plotlines. Speak is wonderfully delivered and hard to put down. – Anushka D. ‘15

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The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde (review by Kai A. ’17)

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The Last Dragonslayer (The Last Dragonslayer, #1)The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Indentured orphan Jennifer Strange is a witty teenager working as secretary for Kazam Mystical Arts Management, which offers its magical services in a world where magic, once powerful, has recently started to wane. Suddenly, she becomes the last dragonslayer and must save the world’s magic. Author Jasper Fforde specializes in building believable worlds and creating realistic but fantastic characters while maintaining a light and comical tone. His unpredictable and intricate plot has some inconsistencies and gaps of logic noticeable to the meticulous reader. In addition to an exciting ride, the plot becomes a vehicle of commentary on the corruption and greed of mankind. Overall, this is a enjoyable read and the first in the Chronicles of Kazam series that promises much more. – Kai A. ‘17

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Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (review by Daphne Y. ’16)

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Murder on the Orient ExpressMurder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder on the Orient Express is a page-turner! While reading it, I suspected everyone Hercule Poirot interviewed and every situation possible… except for the actual result. Although a bit hard to understand at times, Agatha Christie’s writing is eloquent and mysterious: never revealing too much but just enough to keep a reader reading. The book is flawless in its intricate characterization, as each suspect mentioned in the story has a distinct and imaginable personality. Readers of all ages will pick up this book thinking they will solve the mystery before Poirot, but guaranteed no way of avoiding the plot twists that await! – Daphne Y. ‘16

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A Dirty War by Anna Politkovskaya (review by Alice W. ’16)

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A Dirty WarA Dirty War by Anna Politkovskaya
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Few people knew of Chechnya before the Boston Marathon bombing; even fewer people know of the struggles that have pervaded Chechnya’s short history, and the two Chechen Wars from 1994-6 and 1999-2000 fought on its soil. In this collection of articles, Anna Politkovskaya, an investigative journalist for the Novaya Gazeta, paints a harsh, glaring picture of the fate of the civilians, Russians and Chechens alike, who were the main victims of the early crossfire between the Russian federal forces and the Chechen fighters and later the actual targets of gross atrocities committed by both soldiers and rebels during the second war. This book may be difficult for those not particularly well-versed in international affairs, but I was able to comprehend most of the politics through both textual clues and my own inferences. Moreover, the countless inexcusable crimes and massacres chronicled in A Dirty War makes it a difficult book to go through without tearing up in grief and frustration over the injustices. Despite these obstacles, A Dirty War is a moving work of literature and anyone who does finish would agree the messages it conveys makes it well-worth the time. – Alice W. ’16

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Frostbite by Richelle Mead (review by Tiffany Z. ’17)

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Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2)Frostbite by Richelle Mead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The second book in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, Frostbite continues Rose Hathaway’s adventures with her best friend, the Moroi princess Lissa Dragomir. Mead introduces many fresh new characters and revisits old ones in a different light. The constant threat of a mass encounter with the evil Strigoi heightens suspense, and in fact, the novel culminates in a dramatic, definitive battle that leaves readers curious for what will come next in the series. Although there is less action than in the first book, Mead tells the story with the usual wit and precision. What lacks in physical conflict is wholly made up with intriguing complications in relationships, especially a romantic one between Rose and her mentor Dimitri Belikov. The significance of the relationship between Rose and her mother, however, is less clear. Also, many less significant events receive unwarranted attention. Overall, Frostbite assumes the role of a bridge to further titles and simultaneously delivers the excitement and vivid storytelling of a centerpiece of the series. – Tiffany Z. ‘17

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The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (review by Evani R. ’17)

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The Martian ChroniclesThe Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Martian Chronicles is a collection of connected short stories about man and Martians. Bradbury paints a picture of a Mars ruined by human colonists. Although no one character travels the entire length of the book, the eerie, fascinating stories have imaginative settings. Stories are suspenseful and tackle human topics of jealousy, selfishness, racism, and actual events of the past. Throughout the book, we find out that the four expeditions for human occupation are due to the imminent atomic war on Earth. Bradbury writes his tales with lyrical beauty that culminate in an unforgettable ending . The Martian Chronicles is a great collection for both science fiction fans as well as general readers. – Evani R. ‘17

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Watchmen by Alan Moore (review by Huck V. ’14)

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WatchmenWatchmen by Alan Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Watchmen, written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons and colored by John Higgins, is among the most critically acclaimed graphic novels ever created. Illustrated in a traditional superhero style, Watchmen has an aura of nostalgia that comic connoisseurs will enjoy. It is a 1985 in which a band of American superheroes known as the Watchmen have already made their mark on history but have been relatively quiet for many years. Something, however, is afoot. Retired vigilantes are falling left and right while tensions between the USSR and the US are heating up. Elaborate personal histories enrich interweaving story lines. Moore pays homage to the classic superhero form while not conforming to traditional styles by any means. The plot escalates rapidly from start to finish culminating in a final scene that will leave readers wishing there were more pages to flip. – Huck V. ‘14

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