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teen book reviews

Teens sound off on what books they did (and didn't) love!

Tanvi's Review: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

9/30/2021

0 Comments

 
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My Sister's Keeper book cover © Atria Books
My Sister’s Keeper is a very layered, captivating YA novel. It discusses relatively mature topics about death, dealing with life-threatening disease, and complex family dynamics. Anna, the protagonist, faces a difficult decision of allowing her sister, Kate, to take advantage of her body due to medical problems, or gaining bodily autonomy. The book provides multiple perspectives that are all justified in their own ways to truly make this situation a morally confusing conflict. It brings up important questions about independence, sacrifice, and love that the reader is compelled to answer.

Overall, the book had me hooked the entire time, and I liked the writing style of the author as well. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thinking deeply about complex conflicts. A movie based on the book came out in 2009.

Recommended by Tanvi J.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Click here to order it through the CCLS catalog!
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Asharia's Review: The Color of Water by James McBride

4/6/2021

1 Comment

 
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The Color of Water book cover © Penguin Group
This book is a mix between an autobiography and a biography. It is a tribute to the author's mother and gives insight on her life growing up. This book is by far one of my favorite books because it flips between his mother's life and her story and the author's life and what it was like growing up with her. His story focuses on him and how his siblings were raised, as well as the hardships that come with growing up in a black community while being mixed and having a white mother. His mother talks about the hardships that came with where she was born and the story of how she came to America.

The Color of Water lets readers know that their background is important when trying to discover themselves and who they are.

Recommended by Asharia M.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Click here to order it through the CCLS catalog!
1 Comment

Sarah's Review: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

4/6/2021

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Howl's Moving Castle book cover © HarperCollins
In Howl's Moving Castle, Diana Wynne Jones writes a tale of self-discovery, weaving a world filled with magic and intent.

Sofie thinks of herself as plain, as nothing more than the first to fail and the last to receive a fortune...if ever. Daughter of a hatter, eldest of her two sisters, she never seems to think of herself as the center of her world. Oblivious to the magic she embeds in snippets of fabric and to the intent she sows into ribbons, Sofie speaks in private to her hats. She has no idea that there is strength in her words as she breathes life into scarecrows.

Without understanding her magic, Sofie can't understand why the Wicked Witch of the Waste would curse her. Sofie doesn't see herself as special, but under the influence of the curse, she sees herself as free. She travels on, the image she built of herself crumbling. Readers will join Sofie on her journey as she finally allows herself to experience life.

Recommended by Sarah P.

Howl's Moving Castle has been adapted into an acclaimed animated film by Studio Ghibli.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Click here to order it through the CCLS catalog!
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Mary Kate's Review: Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick

4/6/2021

2 Comments

 
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Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie book cover © Scholastic, Inc.
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie written by Jordan Sonnenblick is about a normal family that doesn't stay so normal. A 13 year old boy, Steven Alper, has his life flipped upside down when his little brother, Jeffery, contracts leukemia. Steven Alper was a normal boy who had a crush on a girl and was in the school band. Jordan Sonnenblick makes this book pull all of your heart strings. He can make you be happy, sad, mad, and completely thrown off guard.
​

I would recommend this book to young readers because it shows them that you never know what is going on at someone's home so it's not your place to bully or be mean to them. I truly loved this book, it taught me so much and made me feel all different types of ways. In 8th grade our school had Jordan Sonnenblick come to our school and talk to us. I specifically asked him about Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. He told me that it was written about a student he had in his class who went through almost this exact situation. I think you should try to read this book whenever you can because it's a great book to pass the time with. I can guarantee that you will love it.

Recommended by Mary Kate W.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Click here to order it through the CCLS catalog!


2 Comments

Anna's Review: Looking for Alaska by John Green

4/6/2021

0 Comments

 
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Looking for Alaska book cover © Dutton Children's Books
Looking For Alaska is a novel directed towards young adults that deals with many serious topics in an entertaining yet emotional plot. The characters are realistic and relatable while having original personalities and a variety of backstories and experiences. The relationships in the story are imperfect, which makes it very easy for the reader to relate to the situations that they are in, whether it be a small interaction or a larger part of the plot. The plot itself is very complex. There are many moments with a sharp turn of events, so it’s often that the reader is surprised with the outcome of the events.

Overall, Looking For Alaska is an exciting and likable book for teens and older. It is also now available as a show on Hulu.

Recommended by Anna A.

Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Click here to order it through the CCLS catalog!
0 Comments

Sindhuja's Review: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

4/6/2021

0 Comments

 
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Six of Crows book cover © Henry Holt and Company
Fans of the series Throne of Glass and A Court of Thrones and Roses will fall in love with this action-packed book. Every page is filled with details and vivid descriptions that transport readers to the streets of Ketterdam and the biting cold of the Ice Court. Overflowing with humor and edge-of-the-seat scenes, Six of Crows introduces a variety of characters with significant life stories. This book shows how even in the darkest of times, friendships and love will bring people together.  Six of Crows is the first of the Six of Crows trilogy following a diverse group of criminals as they venture out into the unknown to pull off a heist.
​

I would recommend this book to any teen wanting to read a fantasy book. It is a great book to read in any place, whether you’re in a long car ride or stuck inside on a rainy day. 

​Recommended by Sindhuja K.


Sound like a book you'd enjoy? Click here to order it through the CCLS catalog!
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    Author

    All of the reviews on this page were written by Avon Grove Library teen volunteers and edited by the Teen Volunteer Coordinator.

    Follow @aglteens on Instagram for more content created by our teens!

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  • Home
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