Scars by Cheryl Rainfield Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The book Scars is an amazing book! There are a lot of heartfelt, deep ideas written in this book. Kendra, a fifteen-year-old girl, doesn’t feel safe because of her childhood memories. She can’t remember her abuser, but he somehow keeps sending her messages. Threatening messages! Kendra’s friends along the way support her the whole time. The end … Read more
Small Acts of Amazing Courage by Gloria Whelan Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Rosalind is English, but she has been raised in India her whole life. Years ago, her brother Edward was sent back to England to receive his schooling, but he became ill and passed away. Their parents – especially their mother – have never truly gotten over his death. As a result, Rosalind’s mother has kept her close … Read more
Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Wilhelmina (Will) has been living with her Aunt Elsie (Ella) since her parents died last year. They live in Will’s grandparents’ house (they are also deceased) and will helps Ella run the family Antique shop, which is next door. Will finds distraction and relief from the loss of her parents through the creation of lamps – her grandpa … Read more
Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Lily’s brother decides she needs a boyfriend, so he leaves a mysterious red Moleskine notebook among the used books at Strand’s (bookstore) for someone worthy to find. That someone is Dash (Dashiell), who is Lily’s age, loves the OED (Oxford English Dictionary), and has the most swoon-worthy musings. After leading him on a scavenger hunt … Read more
Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper Juvenile Fiction Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Can you imagine being one of the smartest kids in school and not being able to speak? Melody is a bright, humorous eleven-year-old who just wants to fit in and be with other kids her age. But because she is in a wheelchair and cannot speak, she has been in a Special Education class, until now. … Read more
Ungifted Ungifted #1 by Gordon Korman Funny Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Donovan Curtis is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction by mistake after he’s caught by the Superintendent for destroying school property. While Donovan is not gifted, he’s smart enough to know that he’d better hide out there as long as he can or he’s going to be in huge trouble with both his family AND the Superintendent. For awhile, … Read more
The Awakening by Kate Chopin Classic Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Edna Pontellier falls in love with Robert even though she’s married with 2 kids. She fails to find liberation from society and commits suicide. I liked this because it was very realistic. Chopin beautifully captured the progress of Edna’s emotions up until her death.
Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Perry Stormaire’s family has been hosting Gobija Zaksauskas – a Lithuanian foreign exchange student – for the past few months. Gobi is definitely not what Perry had hoped for (hot, experienced), although she does have an outrageous accent. But she’s not what she seems, either. Just before she’s supposed to go back to Lithuania, she expresses … Read more
Wild Things by Clay Carmichael Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When 11-year old Zoë’s mother passes away, she is taken in by her uncle, Dr. Henry Royster. Both are accustomed to being on their own – Zoë had to take care of herself because of her mom’s mental illness and poor choices, and Henry lost wife #3 and became an artist (he makes large metal sculptures) – and both are rather independent … Read more
Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A thirteen year old girl was found in the back of a seventeen year old’s truck…BY HER DAD! She wasn’t trusted by anyone! I liked this book. I could never put it down! It was so suspenseful. It was also hard to understand sometimes. Review #2 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A girl named Deanna … Read more