The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

Four British schoolchildren, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy find an old wardrobe that leads to narnia,a world of talking animals, fauns, and nature spirits, created by aslan, the great lion.  The white witch has made it winter for a thousand years, but aslan is returning and spring is coming back.

5 Stars
Xinyu

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien imagines a place that hasn’t been thought by anyone else—a beautiful, mystical world—and just makes it absolutely visible for the readers. However, The Hobbit is not just a story printed on paper. This novel is a rare 4D book, making you moving from place to place, by just staying with the rhythm of what you’re picturing.

In a hole in the ground, there lived Bilbo—he’s a hobbit. He loves his warm and comfortable home and his neighbors. There hasn’t been any knocks at the door, but one day, he was sure he heard one. He saw that it was an old man, with a long cloak and a long hat, who tuned out to be a wizard. With the wizard’s insights, he tracked the right, helpful hobbit to travel with in an important adventure with important tasks. However, Bilbo didn’t want any adventure, so he shooed the wizard back.

The next day, there were thirteen dwarves coming in with the wizard, as if they were the hobbit’s greatest old friends. Regardless of Bilbo’s dislike of too much company, he, the man, and the dwarves formed a crew, and started a mysterious journey. After, Bilbo finds amazing secrets that has been forgotten.

Tolkien tells that Bilbo is very kind and generous to the dwarves and the man, traveling and working very hard with them, although he felt a little unsafe with them. Tolkien really tries to persuade you to be generous to others, which I think that generosity is giving others help and to behave how they will be pleased.

This book scores a terrific advance on every reader and is a huge influence for kindness with fresh secret drops of warmth and beauty.

4 Stars
James

The Sword in the Stone by Terence Hanbury White

People say that fantasy books are all about dragons and dancing unicorns set in a magical, sparkling pixie-world; but, T. H. White brings you to a totally different fantasy world—into a place in England about ten centuries ago when knights hunt creatures, and kings and queens live in charming castles. The author leads you to everywhere in this whole imaginary world, showing his great skill in showing and understanding the characters’ emotions and painting a full picture in your mind.

Wart is a curious young boy who is easy-going with almost anyone. Wart needs to be trained as a squire and seek true adventure. One day on a hunting trip, Wart meets Merlyn, a magician. Merlyn changes Wart into different creatures like ants and badgers and sends him to difficult adventures that teach him lessons every time. Wart really enjoys being Merlyn’s pupil, taking the most unique adventures that no one else have ever done. Later, Wart meets many more people who help him on his journey. Wart finds out who he really is, and his life changes forever.

White thinks that having faith in yourself is very important, because he states that you can accomplish anything that might be difficult for you and also others, by trusting yourself. T. H. White has a big effect on every reader through Sword in the Stone, a pleasing treasure for all ages.

4 Stars
James

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

You cannot mess with this book. The book follows the coming of age story of Holden Caulfield, who doesn't really know who he is, or what he's meant to do, so he goes on all sorts of weird adventures, despising most adults and society in general.

The highlight of this book, for me, was the character of Holden Caulfield. Angsty, arrogant, snobbish, snarky, witty, disturbed, and almost completely lovable. You love to hate him, he is the awkward protagonist who you fear for and cheer for. True classic.

5 Stars
Jessie

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This book was so gripping, poignant, and great in general. It really gives you great insight on the thought process of the suicidal. Following Clay with every tape was like following a murder mystery. You learn to despise certain people, and learn that every action you take can be interpreted very differently in the perspective of someone.

5 Stars
Jessie

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mocking bird followed a story of growing up in the racist South during the years of the Great Depression. Scout Finch is a wily and headstrong six year old, who lives with her older brother Jem and her wise lawyer father, Atticus. Scout spends time playing with her cousin, Dill, who comes over during the summer. They are absolutely terrified of their next door neighbor, "Boo" Radley. However, bigger things are going on. Their father has taken on a case defending Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. Things don't look up for Jem and Scout at school, where they are accused of being black lovers. A really great coming of age story, and a great story of justice.

I really loved it. I can see why this book is a classic.

5 Stars
Jessie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian was a gem. It followed Junior, a Native American teenager living on a reservation. Due to birth defects, Junior was always teased at the "rez". The other kids beat him up, and called him "retard" and "globe" (due to his unreasonably large head). The rez isn't all it's cracked up to be. Poverty is everywhere, and sometimes it's hard to get a meal on the table. However, things somehow come together most of the time. But when Junior decides to go to an all white high school in nearby Rearden, things don't look up for Junior. People tease him at school, and things aren't great on the rez either. His own best friend calls him a white lover. Junior feels as if he will never fit in anywhere.

I adored this book. It was laugh out loud hilarious while at the same time being crushing and heart-breaking. Despite his dire situations, Junior always managed to lighten the mood with his witty and snarky comments, and clever drawings. Great novel to get a little insight on Native American teenagers now. Really funny and smart.

5 Stars

Jessie

The Spell Book of Listen Taylor by Jaclyn Moriarty

This book was insanely intricate and sometimes a bit confusing with all of the characters who seemingly had nothing to do with each other at the beginning who all end up having to do with the Zing family secret, in ways that are hard to expect.
I didn't really enjoy this book as much I wish I had, because some parts were a little too confusing and out there. It really made you have to go back a reread some sections to get it. Some people who aren't easily confused and like whimsical mysteries should pick this book up.

2 Stars
Jessie

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

15 year old Craig has studied so hard to get into Brooklyn's prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School. Once he gets in, however, stress takes over his life. He delves into a deep depression. One day, after stopping taking his meds, he attempts suicide, but then calls a suicide hotline and admits himself into a mental hospital. There he meets many people, some completely off the hook, some sweet, and some delusional.
This book was really sweet and hilarious. You felt bad and worried for Craig, but his voice was so smart and at points sarcastic, and the people he met and described were amusing. I think a lot of people would enjoy this book.

5 Stars
Jessie

Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty

Australian teenage Elizabeth Clarry has a pretty complicated life. Her best friend, Celia, has disappeared again and her absent father has reappeared, which is strange due to the absence of her mother in the last days. All over this, her pen pal whom she was forced to write to in English class probably knows more about her than anyone, ever.
I think I review this book last summer, and I still like it a lot. (Not as much as last time, but I actually knew what all the plot twists were. Books are always the best the first time around.) I liked how everything was in letters, so there was a lot of showing not telling in the writing. Really funny and smart.

5 Stars
Jessie

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King

Vera Dietz and Charlie Kahn have been best friends since they could walk. They love the same music, know what each other is thinking. Both share the feeling that they have to escape the history of their parents. However, things have pulled them apart, and now Charlie is dead. Only Vera can clear his name, but she can't seem to talk about the day.
This book was really very good. I loved the characters of Vera and Charlie and how well they seemed to match. From the plot it seems like it would be an overly dramatic, paranormal thriller. But it wasn't at all. It did unfold like a murder mystery, every chapter revealed a little more about Vera and Charlie and why he died, but the voices of the characters were biting, witty, and sweet.  Really enjoyed it.

5 Stars
Jessie

The Last Apprentice: Attack of the Fiend by Joseph Delaney

I thought that the book I read was very well written. It uses a lot of fantasy and magic and the author put in a lot of tension so that I never wanted to put the book down. I recommend this book to any young teens who like to read about magic, fantasy, suspense, and a little action. I enjoyed it thoroughly and rated it excellent!

5 Stars
Kieran

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Miles Halter memorizes people's last words. Miles's first year at Culver Creek Preparatory School in Alabama begins with meeting his roommate, nicknamed the Colonel. The Colonel introduces him to Alaska Young, a wild and gorgeous girl who captures Miles's heart. So begins nights of pranking and pining for Alaska. But all good things must come to an end, and tragedy strikes.
To make up for my lackluster summary, you should probably read the book to find out what happens yourself. This book was funny, entertaining, and heartbreakingly sad at differing points. Part comedy, part tragedy, part mystery, the book will make end you up looking for Alaska too.

5 Stars
Jessie

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green

This continues my massive reading spree of John Green's works.

In Will Grayson, Will Grayson, there are two Will Graysons, one of which is gay and one of which is straight. The first Will Grayson's best friend, Tiny. Tiny is openly and flamboyantly gay, and is planning a musical based on his own life. The second will grayson (who's name is never capitalized in the book) pines for Isaac, the guy he fell for online. They planned a visit, and Isaac doesn't show. will grayson is devastated. By chance, the two meet, and both become friends.
I didn't really enjoy this book. The lack of capitalization in the will grayson chapters was kind of annoying, and the plot was kind of dull. The characters, excluding Tiny, were kind of flat. In all, I was a bit bored. It wasn't bad, but not good either.

2 Stars
Jessie