Teens Review Books!
The library is proud to present book reviews written by local teens. If you would like to review a book or movie, email teen@northriversidelibrary.org for more information.
Check out some examples below…
Latest Reviews
Always Abigail by Nancy Cavanaugh
Book Trailer by Rachel W.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone
Book Review by Lily Z.
Justyce McAllister is an Ivy League-bound African-American student who gets racially profiled by a police officer. The book details his thoughts throughout the event and after. This book is a must-read; it is an eye-opener to privilege and deeply-rooted racism. On the other hand, it also has themes of perseverance, role models, and opportunity. Dear Martin is a book that explores racial inequality and the many different opinions that come with it. Therefore, the many characters within Dear Martin are incredibly nuanced and are not always just “good” or “bad”. They are complex, and each have individual views on racism. In conclusion, Dear Martin is something that should not just be read, but be used to educate others about society and its flaws.
Chloe by Design: Balancing Act by Margaret Gurevich
Emoji Review by Amaya G.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Review by Zirui G.
After losing their jobs, Nick and Amy Dunne relocate from New York City to Nick’s small hometown, North Carthage in Missouri. With the last of Amy’s savings, Nick opens up a bar with his twin sister, Margo, to support a decent life for the three of them. Things seemed to have been going well until Nick and Amy’s fifth wedding anniversary. Amy disappears and all evidence point to Nick as the prime suspect. As the book shifts between perspectives, you will find yourself overwhelmed with plot twists. How did Gillian Flynn come up with this wickedly awesome novel? –No clue. But if you like mysteries and you’re looking for a book that will leave you speechless, this one’s absolutely perfect! Gone Girl captures a lot of unspoken issues such as the power of bankruptcy, rough marriages, conviction backed up by social media, and, a personal favorite of mine, nontraditional female characters…read it and you’ll see. Amy is quite the character. Go on this adventure with the Dunne family! It’s filled with so many unexpected outcomes, but wraps it up really neatly at the end. Gone Girl is definitely one of those books you’ll keep reading, page after page, until you hit the back cover. Just don’t get too frustrated—then you’ll be trapped in Amy’s tricks!
This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Review by Courtney K.
Ellie acts as cool, calm, and collected as the rest of us wish (hope!) we would if we found out the boy we’ve been talking to is a Hollywood A-Lister. Her sarcasm and wit make her fun and interesting, and her entire plot doesn’t only revolve around Graham, which was refreshing. She isn’t an obsessed fan whose wild dreams are coming true because she gets to hang out with THE Graham Larkin. She stands on her own. Graham is an equally interesting and flawed character as well. He isn’t the stereotypical rebel or bad boy Hollywood kid who is constantly getting into trouble.
Open Road Summer by Emery Lord
Review by Courtney K.
First off, I loved the plot of the book. I especially enjoyed that the main character wasn’t the celebrity, she was the celebrity’s best friend. It’s a refreshing twist on the usual ‘girl gets plucked from obscurity and falls in love with the musical boy’. As a character, Reagan was dynamic and interesting throughout the book. I enjoyed experiencing the world from her point of view for a couple of hours, and her past made her actions believable. Dee was also decently dynamic, but not as “out there” as Reagan, but I also enjoyed her character; she juxtaposed Reagan nicely. Matt was a great love interest; he was a bit stereotypical at first, but I liked that Emery balanced that with his strong and definitive personality/backbone. I felt that Lissa, Dee’s tour manager was stiff and pretty static as a character, but as a supporting character I see how her personality had to be like that to further the story. Same as with Brenda, Reagan’s step mother, although eventually we do see a glimpse into a different side of the two of them. Emery’s style of writing was easy and quick to read, and I really enjoyed it.
Alice In Zombieland by Gena Showalter.
Review by Marina G.
Alice Bell, the daughter of a supposed mad man, is the protagonist. Her father sees creatures that no one else can and teaches his daughter to fight them. Her whole life changes in one moment. Ali’s story revolves around avenging her family and surviving. In order to do that, she must trust her school’s bad boy, Cole Holland, who’s harboring his own secrets. Alice must learn who to trust and how to survive before it’s too late.
This book is a modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland, featuring zombies. Showalter creates a world of magic and mischief, while building a complex group of fighters full of catchy and memorable characters. Ali, the relatable hero, is witty, charming, and full of determination and bravery. The sequel Through the Zombie Glass was released September 2013, while the third and final book, The Queen of Zombie Hearts, is being released September 2014.
If you would like to review a book or movie, email teen@northriversidelibrary.org for more information.