Every Falling Star by Sungju Lee & Susan McClelland Biography Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Sungju Lee was just shy of 10 years old in 1997 when his family was forced to leave Pyongyang, North Korea. His parents said they were going on “vacation,” but they were really leaving their home for good. Sungju didn’t discover the truth until much later. Even though Sungju’s parents were supposed to receive rations for their work, … Read more
Who Was Bruce Lee? by Geoff Edgers Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) It is a great book for middle school kids.
Obsessed by Allison Britz Biography Nonfiction Allison is 15 when she has a vivid dream that awakens her obsessive compulsive tendencies. Prior to that she’s a high-achieving student, athlete, popular, normal. Suddenly, everything around her holds danger and she has to avoid everyday objects like pencils and socks and sidewalk cracks, or perform little rituals to offset their toxicity. Her weird behavior distances her from her friends and family who don’t understand what is happening … Read more
Father and I Were Ranchers Little Britches #1 by Ralph Moody Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Little Britches is a book that depicts strong emotions. Ralph and his family move to Colorado for Ralph’s father’s lungs. They think they are journeying to a developed ranch, and instead, they find a three-room cabin. The story continues with Ralph’s family trying life on the ranch, from scratch. They have to raise … Read more
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei Autobiography Biography Graphic Novel Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) After Japan entered WWII and bombed Pearl Harbor a wave of fear and distrust of Japanese people washed over the United States and the government enacted policies that removed those of Japanese ancestry (US citizens included) from their homes to internment camps where they were closely monitored for acts of treason. Anti-Japanese sentiment ran high over … Read more
Almost American Girl: An Illustrated Memoir by Robin Ha Autobiography Biography Graphic Novel Memoir Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Robin Ha gets a most unwelcome surprise when her single mother decides to turn their “vacation” into a permanent situation by marrying a man she barely knows who lives all the way across the world – moving them from South Korea to Alabama one summer. Robin is devastated. She’s only 14, speaks very little … Read more
Wildflower by Drew Barrymore Autobiography Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is by one of my favorite actresses which is Drew Barrymore, and I first heard about this book when I was watching “Ellen,” so I knew it had to be good. There were a lot of things in this book about her that I knew nothing about, so it was pretty interesting hearing about her history of acting. … Read more
Positive by Paige Rawl and Ali Benjamin Autobiography Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The memoir “Positive” is a real-life told story about a nineteen-year-old girl who is also the author, Paige Rawl. She tells the story of how she was bullied in middle school and how she was able to overcome the ordeal to change her world for the better. I personally thought this book is truly amazing because it … Read more
Elena Vanishing by Elena and Clare B. Dunkle Biography Memoir Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) I thought this book was pretty great considering that it’s the first book about anorexia I have ever read. And it’s also a memoir, so I think that makes it extra special. I think that this book really captures the essence of struggling and dealing with an eating disorder. I think that it’s really great how … Read more
In Real Life: A Journey to a Pixelated World by Joey Graceffa Autobiography Biography Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) So, you think that you know everything there is to know about the YouTube sensation Joey Graceffa? You don’t. His book tells his whole life story. Even if you do or don’t watch him the story is still really good. I liked the book because I am subscribed to him and watch … Read more