Chains

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Reviewed by Julian

Slavery is one of the cruelest states that man has ever been in. And for Isabel and her little sister Ruth, slavery is their life. Sold after the death of their mistress, Isabel and Ruth are sold to a cruel couple who are deeply embedded in the British side of the Revolutionary war. Isabel must discover the truth about the war and whose liberty the Patriots are fighting for before she decides whether or not to help them. But when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel must undergo the greatest and most dangerous of tasks to run away to freedom.

This book is a wonderful insight into the world of slavery. It is a way to look into the past, for those who didn’t live it. Isabel is now one of the characters who will go down in history as a truly unique person who fought for herself and her family.

Image courtesy of Nicholas Tarling / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl
By Barry Lyga
Reviewed by Rene

    Have you ever read a comic book and right after finishing it, you feel like you can take on the world or at least a minion of some sort? That's exactly how I felt right after reading this novel by Barry Lyga. It's a fictional novel focused around the life of a sophomore at South Brook High, Fanboy. You see Fanboy isn't your normal (if you call it normal) high school student. He's a nerd, a dweeb, a dork, a comic book aficionado, if you would, and because of this, he doesn't have many friends. In fact, he only has one true friend, Cal, and he's constantly scared that he's going to lose Cal to the testosterone-controlled, jockstrap wearing JJ's (Jock Jerks). And to top it all off, Fanboy still can't find a peaceful place to work on his "ticket out" because at home waiting for him is a very pregnant mother and awkward step-fascist. So with his life slowly seeming to go nowhere, he meets Goth Girl—the no BS taking, cigarette smoking, malevolent, strangely cute Goth Girl. With her help Fanboy is finally able to open up a can of reality and realizes that he can have a future. And that's when the trouble starts…

    The reason I got this book was not because the cover was bright and interesting, which it was, or because the summary was just so perfect I wanted to read more. The reason I choose this book was because in the beginning of the book it has the most mysterious quote I've ever read: "There are three things in this world I want more than anything. I'll tell you the first two but I'll never tell you the third." Now can you honestly say that after reading that quote you wouldn't want to read this book too? I picked up this book and didn't put it down. And because I didn't, I ended up finishing the book during the first weekend of my month long English project. So if that doesn't show you just how good this book is, well honestly nothing will.
    I would recommend this book to literally anyone and if you don't know me personally, then I probably haven't told you to read this book already. This book has a bit of everything for everyone and because of this I consider Barry Lyga a terrific writer. But the people I would really recommend this book to are comic book fans. Not only because this book references so many comics that if you don't know any you would surely get lost, but because Barry actually was a retired comic book fan that has turned into a comic book writer turned novelist. So he knows what he is writing about and it is really easy to relate to this book because of it. So to wrap up this review, I say check out the book; buy it if you can. But the most important thing to do is read it, and read it soon.

Image courtesy of Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In Your Room

By Jordanna Fraiberg

Reviewed by Suzana
 
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where."
– Pablo Neruda, "Love Sonnet XVII" 

 In Your Room by Jordanna Fraiberg is a great book and all the reasons to fall in love are right there in it. It will help you understand what love does to people and how easy it can be to fall in love.

This book is about a girl named Molly, and a boy named Charlie who fall in love with each other when their families randomly switch houses for the summer. So what happens is…Molly stays in Charlie's room, and Charlie stays in Molly's room. They go through a lot of difficult stuff. I found it really interesting how they didn't let anything get between them.

I loved reading every page of this book; therefore, I recommend this book to you if you like reading about loving couples. It will show you how crazy it gets when you love someone you have never met. I hope you will enjoy this book. 


Image courtesy of Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

November Blues

By Sharon Draper

Reviewed by Tyra
                       

Seventeen-year-old November Nelson is beautiful with cocoa brown skin and long, wavy, black hair that flows with the wind, and is one of the smartest kids in school. What more could anyone ask for, right? Well…all of a sudden things began to change when all of her dreams and goals come crashing down on her in an instant.

"What's an eight-letter word that means I've screwed up my life forever?" Can you guess? Yes, she's pregnant. Not only that, something happens to the father of her child. Old friends and new friends are by her side through it all—to help her through the rest of high school filled with trash-talking teenagers.

This story is not only about November, but also about her boyfriend's cousin Jericho Prescott. Jericho is a sincere, fun, trumpet playing, football player who is there the most to help her out and be the father figure in her child's life. The only question is: will he have time to be there for her in the end as he continues the rest of his high school football career?

November's confusing, breathtaking story in November Blues by Sharon Draper will have your eyes locked in amazement. Anyone would enjoy reading this fictional story. You never know what's going to happen next with all its twists and turns. I highly recommend it!


Image courtesy of Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Story of a Girl

By Sara Zarr
Reviewed By Silvia Ramirez
    "Sometimes rescue comes to you. It just shows up, and you do nothing. Maybe you deserve it, maybe you don't. But be ready, when it comes, to decide if you will take the outstretched hand and let it pull you ashore."
Deanna Lambert is haunted in high school by what happened three years ago. She never had the chance to tell her side of the story. Tommy Webber is the one who keeps spreading his side of the story. Her relationship with her father becomes bad. Her feelings towards her best friend Jason are beginning to change. Just about anything you can think of happens to her.
This is a good, realistic fictional book. It shows the hardships of a young girl, and how she copes with them. I think if you are a girl with a bad reputation and want to do something about it or someone who has made some mistakes and is regretful, than is a good book for you.

Forever

By Judy Blume

Reviewed by Ruth Uribe

"Is there a difference between first love and true love?"

Katherine and Michael are seniors in different high schools who are total strangers. They meet at a high school party. They become really close, "but Katherine is in love with love, and Michael is in love with Katherine." Not only do these teens fall in love, their suburban friends do as well. But the real question is… will it last forever?

Forever is a good love novel. I recommend this book for teenage girls who are into love stories. Also for those girls who feel under pressure doing things with their boyfriend that they're not sure about. High school is surrounded by upcoming stuff that you don't see coming. Katherine understands you.

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

The Summoning

By Kelley Armstrong

Reviewed by Jesus Padilla

If you like the supernatural, you will like this book. Also, if you are interested in secret projects like Area 51, you may want to read this book. It’s about a girl who lives a normal life and suddenly she starts seeing ghosts. She is sent to a house for troubled teenagers where things are not as they seem and people are not what you call normal. The house is run by nurses and doctors as if it is a normal house, but there are some powerful people who control it for their own purpose. And that is where the mystery begins…

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

What My Mother Doesn’t Know

By Sonya Sones
Reviewed by Thuy Nguyen
In the book, Sophie is a girl who lives in an unhappy family. Her mom doesn't understand her, she doesn't feel, love from her family, and she only can share her feeling with her two best friends. Her parents usually fight in front of her. She feels suffering and she doesn't want to listen. She falls in love with so many guys, and changes her love really fast like a pinwheel.

I can understand the feelings of Sophie, who needs love from her family. The love from friends is different than love from the family. You can see how Sophie feels and wishes to have a happy family. You can see how Sophie's feelings change about love. You will have to read the book to find out if Sophie will have a happy family? Will her mom understand her? Will she have a true love?
This book is written like a poem but actually it is s story. Don't worry if you will have a hard time understanding the book. It's easy to understand. There are so many interesting things that happen. The book will make you not want to stop reading until the end. You will enjoy this book.

 Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

To Kill A Mocking Bird

By Harper Lee


Reviewed by Jonathan Miguel

To Kill a Mocking Bird may look like a big old and boring book, but when you start to read the book, it shows you what it was really like back in the early 20^th century. When I first saw the book, I did not like it because it was way too big and the book cover looked very boring. When I started to read it out of my own freewill, I started to fall asleep as soon as I finished the first chapter; it was all boring to me and did not make any sense to me as well. After the first 3 chapters, I started to notice that I liked the book. It got more intense, and it started to show what the 20^th century was really about.

Atticus Finch is a lawyer and a very important person in Maycomb. Then there are his children named Jim and Scout Finch, who love to explore the little town, walking around saying "hi" to their neighbors and being kids. Now his sister Scout is not girly, for she loves to be a tomboy with her brother. Jim is a protective over his sister, and he is always there to comfort her by telling her: "Try and go to sleep, it will all be over tomorrow, maybe."

There is also this kid name Dill, who is a summer neighbor as every year during the summer he flies in to Maycomb to spend time with his family and play with his friends. He is the kind of child that thinks he knows everything there is to know about the world. There is one thing that Dill, Jim, and Scout become more and more interested in, and that person is Boo Radley. No one knows who Boo is in the town of Maycomb, but these kids want to know who he is because they have heard some scary stories about his family and what he has done. So one night, they decide to break into his house and see if what all they've heard is true, but they are so scared that they run out of the house before they find out anything. Atticus Finch, Scout and Jim's father, is doing a huge law case about a person named Tom, who is being accused of raping a white female. Now to find out what happens you have to read the book. It's a timeless tale, and you will like it too!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandpiper

By Ellen Wittlinger

Reviewed by Adriana

"Summer became a golden promise, a lovely liar or a chance for a new life."

Sandpiper seems like your ordinary girl who lives in the town of Hammond a small town surrounded by the harbor. Sandpiper is a sophomore and throughout her eighth grade year and sophomore year she has been with quite a few guys. But sandpiper becomes tired of just being with guys. It seems that she wants a boyfriend this time around. She meets a boy called The Walker and he is a quiet guy who just walks around town. One of Sandpiper's exes Derek starts harassing her. Then Walker gets involved, and he and Sandpiper share their horrible past. 

Sandpiper is a very interesting book, which I recommend. It tells the story of a girl, and how her life is and how her reputation is because of what she has done.

A Child Called It

By: Dave Pelzer

Reviewed by Francis

            This book is nonfiction as it is about the author’s childhood. He was beaten by his alcoholic mom, and she sadistically liked to play games with him that left him nearly dead. His mom no longer considers him a son. My favorite quote from this book was, “The challenges of my past have made me immensely strong inside.” I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read nonfiction books. This is a good book but also sad. It may make you cry, but I read it anyway. I really liked this book.  

Need

By Carrie Jones

Reviewed by Becka 

“You just have to face your fears. So, to face them, I chant them. Cheimatophobia, Frigophobia, Psychophobia, Cheimatophobia.”

Zara White, a 16-year-old girl, whose mom made her move to Maine and live with her Grandma Betty because her step dad just passed away, feels nothing is the same anymore. Her Grandma Betty presents her with a car of her own to make her smile just a bit more, and maybe to forget the tragedy of her stepfather’s death. Being obsessed with phobias, Zara knows every phobia known to mankind. On the flight there, she begins feeling someone watching and following her. She continues to have this feeling while living in Maine with her Grandma. Zara didn’t think she could make so many enemies so fast at her new school. Making two best friends along the way helps her find this mysterious stalker. Many boys seem to like her, and she feels the need to make a choice. She keeps looking for this man who follows her so much, and every place he’s been, he leaves behind golden dust. Confused Zara continues to search.

This book is great: The book Need is great because with each page I turned, I wanted to know what was going to happen next. I found myself more and more mesmerized as I read on.

*This book can be found at your local library or bookstore.  The Birmingham Library offers other titles by this author. 

Street Pharm

By Allison Van Diepen

Reviewed by Jacob Williams

For those who enjoy reading about being in something so deep that you can't get out without a little inspiration, this is a good book for you. Also, for those who like to know that you live in a place of ruins and that there is no way to get out, this book gives you hope. Street Pharm gives you the experience of being in tough situations and being able to talk your way out of it. This book is not only urban, it is also smart. It lets you know no matter what you want to do in your life, you're going to need brain. I highly recommend it to those who like to look into the excitement of other people's lives; it gives plenty of pictured evidence of the main character, Tyrone Johnson's life.

Tyrone Johnson is a kid who inherits his fathers business when he is sent off to jail. He is experienced in dealing because his father showed him how to do it. His goal is to be King of the Streets, but his life changes when he meets a girl named Alice. He starts to fall for her during the book, and when a series of incidents happen, he starts thinking about things that he never thought he would think about. This book takes place in the streets of Brooklyn where back then, everybody was either selling drugs or taking them. I really enjoyed this book because it took me back to my past events; looking back into the past is something that everybody should enjoy, even if you have regrets. If you ever happen to stumble upon this book, it is a book that is recommended by many others besides me.

 

PUSH

By Sapphire

Reviewed by Reina, BCCHS student

If you like A Child Called It, then Push is another breathtaking book that will make you cry. It is about a 16-year-old-girl who's been through a lot, including being pregnant very young. But it is even more shocking when you find out who the dad is!

This book will relate to many teenagers who've been through the same problems, especially being pregnant really young. It'll relate to others who have had parents who abuse them or still do. It'll share a powerful connection in your heart--to see such a young girl face such harsh abuse. Though she shows how far she can push herself to be someone in life, you'll have to see if she has the strength to truly overpower all these issues.

I can relate to this teenager's life with part of the abuse she faces. With such strong violence and faith this will capture your soul as it captured mine.  It teaches you what real life is and what many people face everyday that we wouldn't even think of. But it shows how you can push yourself to do excellent in life. This girl proves the point that not many believe in:  No matter the the struggle, you can make it through. You just have to be willing to!

So if you want a reality check and you or someone you know has gone through hardship, this is the book for you. The writing structure may be a little hard to understand, even though it's the way she speaks. It's her story and that's what makes it a great book.

****4 stars out of 5

Image courtesy of Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Someone like You

By Sarah Dessen

Reviewed by Jennifer

I recommend the fictitious book Someone like You by Sarah Desssen mostly to teenage girls. If you like to read different ways of how a girl experiences her high school life, you will get that in the book and live another girl's life. This book is one of those books where it gets so good you do not want to stop reading!

It is mostly about this girl Halley, who is not too outgoing; she is shy. When she was a little girl a new neighbor came over, and it was a girl her age. The girl's name was Scarlet. She never knew they would be best friends. Scarlet is the outgoing type and they are totally different. They grew up with each other and then came high school! Everyone knows Halley as "Scarlet's friend." It is only the beginning of their junior year and everything changes. Halley was the one to always ask for advice and Scarlet would be the one to hold her till one day… Scarlet meets this boy who she quickly likes and they are happy together. Then something unexpected happens and that is the moment the girls' roles change.

There is never-ending excitement in the book. It's as if there is adrenalin in the book that excites you and makes you want to read more! You see the change and the struggle. Not only do Scarlet and Halley seek help from each other, but also, they are there for each other. There are surprises! You see how Scarlet's life is changed forever when she tells Halley big news…You see the boys they fall for as you read and how not every boy is who you think. Halley finds herself involved with a boy who may hurt her in a way you would not even imagine! There is also a moment of truth in their friendship. Read this book and you'll find that you love it!

Girl, Interrupted

By Susanna Kaysen

Reviewed by Desteny

This true story is about Susanna Kaysen's life when she was 18 in the sixties—the time where sex and drugs became extremely popular in society. No one really cared about morals around that time. She checks herself into McLean Hospital, which is a residential psychiatric program in Massachusetts. She checked in because she wanted to commit suicide. When she first checked in, she thought that she would only stay there for a couple of weeks, but she was wrong. During her stint in the mental ward, she meets very interesting people with very terrifying problems. There is Lisa, a girl that was diagnosed as being a sociopath, who is basically the leader of the group; Polly, a girl that tried to burn herself to death; Daisy, who has an eating disorder; and a few other patients.

"Freedom [is] the price of privacy" when Susanna and the other girls are locked away from reality, for they don't have privacy. They have lost the freedom of a normal life. Nurses always have to know where they are all the time—it's their responsibility. Lisa, who is my favorite character, always tries to run away from the hospital. She makes the book a lot more interesting. I just think it is weird that she always sees the world as black and white. She never sees the good side to anything. She likes to argue and tell off the nurses and anyone that is in charge. I still like her though. She is fearless and does not care what anyone thinks of her. She makes the book more interesting.

It is an ongoing situation for Susanna and the rest of the patients—trying to find their identity in life. Some of the girls want to get better, but some would just rather stay in there. Susanna thinks there is no hope of being released as a stable person. She fears that she will be in there for the rest of her pathetic life. They think they are crazy and maybe they shouldn't even live a regular life. They want to get out of the psych-ward but at the same time they don't. You'll just have to see if this ever happens…

Blue Moon

By Alison Noel

Fiction

Reviewed by Crystal Hernandez

"Science is just now catching up to what metaphysicians and the great spiritual teachers have known for centuries. Everything is energy. Everyone is one."

Ever is now immortal, but she still needs help to improve her new powers. As Ever's powers increase, something happens to Damen's powers. Damen is never sick, but now he claims he has headaches; his attitude towards Ever is strange now. Ever is now really afraid of what's happening to Damen—she senses that something is terribly wrong. She travels to Summerland to save Damen, while getting away from Roman. Although she senses that he has to do with Damen's odd behavior, he's the only one who is nice to her. Her teachers don't listen to her, or her aunt, and her friends think she's exaggerating about Damen, claiming that he has moved on now and Ever needs to do the same. Ever somehow knows that everyone's behavior is odd, and she needs help from Ava. She now says she needs to travel to Summerland to find the answer to save her true love. She also needs to find out what Roman really is, because for all she knows, he might be an 'immortal' too.

Recommendation-Excellent

I think this book held a lot of imagination. Its quality of text was more in the present time, but the whole story altogether is extremely addicting. It really takes you into their world. The love story is very intense, and makes you want to be Ever. You will not be able to keep your hands off of this book! I highly recommend it! You are going to love it!

*This book is available at your local library and bookstore. The Birmingham Library has other titles by this author.

Runner

By Carl Deuker

Reviewed by Hugo

Living in a difficult situation, Chance Taylor currently works at a restaurant and lives with his alcoholic father on an old sailboat. With his father getting fired from his job, they don't have enough money to pay the mortgage. He is desperate and does not know what to do next. One day he stumbles on a fat guy that works at the marina office and offers Chance an easy job that pays well. He has no choice but to accept the job. The job is to go for a run to a tree and retrieve a package that is hidden underneath the roots. Then come back running with it and put it in his locker. The job pays $200 a week. "Chase knows how much he will earn—what he doesn't know is how much he will pay."

Runner by Carl Deuker is a fast-paced suspense story that is fun to read. It is full of mysteries and obstacles that Chance must go through. The novel is well written with lots of details and is full of characters with different personalities. It is easy to read and will make you want to keep on reading. The ending was a surprise, for I didn't expect any of those things to happen. What was most interesting about the story was what was in the package, which contains the answer to the entire mystery. I haven't met anybody that doesn't like this book, and I would recommend this book to anybody that loves mystery and suspense. I give this book five out of five stars.

Tricks

By Ellen Hopkins

Reviewed by Lupe

Five teenagers living in different parts of the country all have different stories dealing with the same things. Love, sex, and drugs are just three of the things these kids deal with. Looking for safety, compassion, love, communication, and themselves, yet finding them in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons. Trusting others is a lesson these teens will have to learn as they go on with their crazy journeys in order to find what they long for. Meanwhile figuring out who they are, who they have become, if they like their new selves, and mainly if they will be able to forgive themselves for the things they have done.

This is an exhilarating book that keeps you shocked as you keep reading. It grips you by the heart and keeps you reading till you find out what truly happens to these poor teens that lead them to the situations they're in—wondering how they will overcome it all and even if they will overcome it.

* This book is available at your local library or bookstore. The Birmingham Library has other titles by this author.

Heartless (Pretty Little Liars series)

By Sara Shepard

Reviewed by Mary

Ever had that so-called best friend you wanted to disappear because she knew a little too much? Then this book is for you. The disappearance of all around, popular Alison Dilaurentis shocked everyone in the town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania. Everyone is left confused and scarred by the terrible incident. Alison's best friends are left scared and bewildered because the night Ali went missing was the night they were having yet another sleepover. Years pass and still no clues to what could have happened to the beautiful and popular Alison. Just as the four young best friends are trying to get over the disappearance of their BFF, they start to receive text messages, which make them rethink Ali's death. Follow the teenage girls on their journey to figure out who killed Ali. The girls face media and publicity issues, yet they still strive to figure out, "Who killed Ali?"

I'd recommend this book to my peers, because this book grasps your attention and makes you rethink all that you have read. The author Sara Shepard keeps changing the scenarios and plotline, which catches the reader's attention even more. She also uses slang and very familiar teenage language, which makes the book easy to read. Quotes in the story such as "Ali killed Ali" caused my body to get Goosebumps because evidence may lead to a suspect or Ali herself? The mysterious texter changes his/her persona, which causes confusion. So are you ready? Grab the series and begin your dramatic adventure. If you dare…

*This book is available at your local library and bookstore.

A Million Little Pieces

By James Frey

Reviewed by Martina

Summary:

James Frey, a drug addict, hits rock bottom in his life. His only choice to even begin to get his life back is to spend time in a rehabilitation clinic. It is in this recovery period that he reaches down into his soul to find out if he is strong enough to beat his addictions. During this time he befriends and clashes with fellow drug addicts and staff workers. He also falls for a young woman that helps James find the will to live again.

Favorite quote:

“Hold on”. Those two words are so vital to his fight to save his life. James’ life has become a tight rope. From one minute to the next he is not sure if he can hold on or lose everything. To keep killing from self loathing James hold on, breathe, and simply take one day at a time.

Recommendation:

This book is very poetic. It is a memoir that is written in prose. It is the most raw and gut-wrenching book I have ever read. In short, simple, and uncomplicated sentences James reels you into a dark and complicated world. You feel his pain, his struggle, his sadness, and his frustration. A roller coaster as he takes you on a journey into his journey of recovery and self discovery.

Image courtesy of Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Marked (House of Night Series, Book 1)

By P.C Cast & Kristen Cast

Reviewed by Wendy

To tell you precisely what this book is about, all I have to say is one word, vampires. Yes this story is about vampires, but unlike Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight saga, this vampire story is different. It has thrills, twists, and love, all you need for a great read.

This story begins in a world where vampires are no secret, in a world where you are “marked” with a sapphire crescent moon on your forehead to show that you belong to the family of Nyx, the goddess of the night. When you are marked, it is mandatory that you go live at the House of Night, seems like a regular boarding school for rich kids but in fact it’s a place to go and survive the Change.

Zoey Redbird is a unique character, unlike Bella from Twilight who thinks about Edward 24/7 and her whole life revolves around him, Zoey is spunky and modern. When I say “modern,” I’m talking about a real girl who thinks of other things instead of guy, not to mention she isn’t a total klutz. Zoey is a rejected teenager at home and the luckiest girl at school because her boyfriend is the football team’s quarterback. However, as soon as she is marked her life is turned upside down, into a fast-paced adventure to find out who she is and what she is destined for. Seeking answers along with love, she meets her best friends who will help her fight evil.

You know how sometimes you have to reread a line about two or three times before you completely understand it, well that is a sign of boredom. However while reading this book you’ll find that you’ll only need to read it once, and before you know it you’ll be done with it.

Image courtesy of Dr Joseph Valks / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Monster

By Walter Dean Myers

Reviewed by Sam

Steve Harmon is sixteen years old, and he’s accused of being involved in an armed robbery. Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, is a story about a teenage boy, Steve Harmon, who could be sentenced for 25 to life. Feeling like he has stepped into a movie, Steve decides to write everything down in his journal as if it were a movie script. Not only this, but Steve writes about how jail has affected and changed him forever in his journal. Steve tries to hold himself together even though it seems the odds are stacked against him in this courtroom drama.

This story is a great look into the harsh life of a teenager. This is a great book. It takes you deep into the thoughts of Steve and puts the reader in his shoes. You can feel all of the pain he is experiencing during this hard time. The book is very well written and has a great plot. It will have you thinking about it after you have finished it and put it down.

I would refer this book to anybody. The story is powerful and leaves a lasting impression on the reader. The way that you see Steve slowly lose his innocence and faith is a very slow and painful process. The fact that Steve and I are the same age makes this book even more interesting, but even if you weren’t you would still enjoy this book. I recommend this book to anybody who likes a quick, yet very deep and interesting read.

Image courtesy of Andrew Bardwell ("abardwell") / CC BY-SA 2.0.

Endgame

By Nancy Garden

Reviewed by Timothy

I liked this book; it was very interesting to see how you can only do so much to a person. Like i mean the kid is a ninth grader who's been picked on throughout middle school, and only had one friend. The kid's parents aren't his biggest fans either. His dad favors his older brother, who is just the biggest suck-up in the world and pretends that he's all goody two-shoes, and gets into no trouble. So when he does get in trouble he stands out even more. Like his dad tells him he should be more like his brother. His mom doesn't wanna make the dad angry or to get into any arguments, so when he says anything about the son she just goes along with it, and doesn't stand up for him. He also releases some of his stress out on playing his drums, and shooting his bow and arrows. Then he gets kicked out of his school, because the bullies at his school beat him up so much that he brings a knife to the school for protection and gets caught with it by the principal. So now his dad wants to move for a job.

Everyone is planing on a new beginning; the kid has started high school in a new town with new kids. He hopes that things will change so he keeps repeating "it will get better it will get better." Then he meets a girl and a boy in his new town and makes friends. The girl is older then him like his older brother , and the boy is his age. He joins the band at his high school, and when everything starts to go good his life just goes right down hill. "Nothing has changed," he says, because there are bullies at this school to.

I love the way this book had great climax moments where you didn't know if the next page was gonna be the page where you find out what is gonna happen, but you don't and it makes you wanna keep turning pages. Like the part where he says "I could see gray light around my window shade, and I felt I don't know, different, stronger. The black cloud thinner I knew it was thinner, this was a special day I'd been waiting for, even when I hadn't known I was."

I would recommend this book for someone who wants to know about consequences and how hard they can be because of your little mistake. also for someone who likes suspense and thriller books.

Image courtesy of Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.