Volunteens Book Reviews

This submission form is for Volunteens book reviews. If you are not a Volunteen, you can fill out an application here. Review a book for volunteer credit! Use the form below to submit your review.

Astronauts – book review

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier written by Jim Ottaviani illustrated by Maris Wicks Biography Graphic Novel History Nonfiction Tween (grades 5+), Teen, Adult * * * * Stars (Great!) This nonfiction graphic novel written from the point of view of astronaut Mary Cleave, tells the story of how women made their way into space (specifically looks at the history and achievements of Russian and American female astronauts)! It was initially a struggle to get … Read more

Alone – book review

Alone by Megan E. Freeman Novel in Verse Realistic Fiction Survival Suspense Tween (grades 6+) * * * Stars (Pretty good) Maddie and her friends plan a sleepover at her grandmother’s apartment while grandma is away. Everyone is supposed to lie to their parents about where they’ll be, so Maddie’s parents, who are divorced, each think she is staying with the other one. Their plans fall through, so Maddie winds up being the only one … Read more

Dear Student – book review

Dear Student by Elly Swartz Realistic Fiction Tween (grades 4-8) * * * Stars (Pretty good) Autumn is starting 6th grade with a lot of life changes. Her dad recently joined the Peace Corps to make a difference in the world, and as a result, the rest of their family has had to move out of their big house and into a small apartment. Her best friend also just moved across the country, and Autumn … Read more

Renegades – Read It and Rate It

The Renegades Renegades book #1 by Marissa Meyer Adventure Dystopian Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Nova is an Anarchist looking to bring down the groups of superheroes known as The Renegades. In trying to do so, she joins the Renegades as a superhero where she must go undercover and discover information to bring down the Renegades once and for all. It was very imaginative and fun to read. For … Read more

Golden Goblet – Read It and Rate It

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw Adventure Historical Fiction Mystery Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) What would it be like to live in the time of Queen Tiy, mother to Amenhotep IV? Ranofer does just that. He is a young Egyptian boy, who longs to be a goldsmith like his father. Unfortunately, his father dies and leaves Ranofer in the grips of his half-brother, Gebu. Ranofer’s life becomes miserable until … Read more

House Arrest – Read It and Rate It

House Arrest  House Arrest #1 by K.A. Holt Diary Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) The main character, Timothy, struggles with a difficult life. He has an absent father, and a mother who always has to work so they can pay for his at-risk brother. Timothy gets into trouble trying to find money for his brother’s medication, putting him on house arrest. When things finally seem to get better, Timothy has … Read more

They Both Die at the End – Read It and Rate It

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera Dystopian LGBTQ+ Romance Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) “They Both Die at the End” is about a world where you get a call on the day you will die. The two main characters get the call and decide to befriend each other on their last day. They spend the whole day together fitting in as much as possible, while letting themselves let go … Read more

When We Collided – Read It and Rate It

When We Collided by Emery Lord Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “When We Collided” is a book about two teenagers who meet after the main character (Vivi) moves to California for the summer. She’s dealing with bipolar disorder and her new love interest (Jonah) is dealing with grief after the loss of a family member. They quickly fall in love, but it might just break them, or it will … Read more

Lily and Dunkin – Read It and Rate It

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Lily and Dunkin” is about two middle-schoolers who have to learn to deal with life while finding themselves. Lily is a transgender girl trying to embrace who she is, and Duncan is a boy who is dealing with mental illness. They slowly figure out who they are and grow together even through the tough years of middle school. … Read more

CLOSING NOTICE: We will be closed Monday, September 2, 2024 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. The exterior book drop will close the night before, September 1st, at 5 p.m. We will reopen Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024.