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Teen SRC 2020 – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

“What’s the point of having a voice if you’re gonna be silent in those moments you shouldn’t be?” – Angie Thomas, The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is genuinely one of the most influential novels speaking out against racism written in our time. Especially now, in the times of people using their voice to campaign for what’s right, this book brings a whole new light to the controversial issues that have existed for generations.

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this novel is about a sixteen-year-old girl named Starr Carter who lives in two different worlds- a poor neighbourhood where she lives, and a fancy prep school she attends. Starr navigates through many feelings of grief after seeing her childhood best friend, Khalil, murdered by the police. When his death makes national headlines, Starr faces a choice that can change the entire community that surrounds her- does she defend her friend when confronted by a horrendous amount of outside pressures?

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Teen SRC 2019 – The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors, and The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is one of the best mystery books I’ve read. The book is full of plot twists and it is impossible to stop reading. The narrator in this book, Dr. Sheppard, is recording this case as he is the helper of detective Poirot. Mr. Ackroyd is known throughout King’s Abbot as a wealthy guy, but he is stabbed to death a few days following the death of the woman he loves. It is fascinating to read how Poirot analyzes every piece of evidence and how he eliminates the suspects one by one.

Teen SRC 2019 – Taken by Erin Bowman

Taken by Erin Bowman

In Claysoot, there are no men. Only boys. On the occasion of every boy’s eighteenth birthday, they get taken. Gone. Disappeared forever. They call it the Heist. People think that the boys have been taken over the Wall. Gray Weathersby’s birthday is mere months away. He is prepared to meet his destiny until he finds a letter from his deceased mother that made him question everything. What lies beyond the Wall? Climbing the Wall is suicide, but is it really worth being Heisted instead? What secrets is Claysoot’s government hiding from the people? When Clay’s brother was Heisted, where did he go? Is he still alive?

I give this book a 4/5 because this book builds of suspense and secrets so it was harder to write a review about it. But I feel like it was like The Maze Runner; boys get taken away. I did not enjoy The Maze Runner very much (I returned it on page 14) so I was mildly surprised that I enjoyed this book. ANNNNDDDDD, of course, there is a lllloooovvvvveeee triangle.

There are 3 books in the series and a novella. The books following are: Frozen, and the next one is Forged. The novella is Stolen.

Teen SRC 2019 – Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Image result for ruby red book

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Gwyneth Shepherd’s beautiful and sophisticated cousin, Charlotte, has been preparing her whole life to time travel. But then, one day, in the middle of class… it’s Gwyneth who takes a trip to the past? When Gwyneth has taken two more uncontrolled leaps to the past, her best friend Lesley convinces her to tell her mother. The Lodge tests Gwyneth for her time travelling skills by watching her as she travels into time once more. When they confirm that she can actually, really, legitimately travel back in time, they enter her blood into a time travelling chronograph so she can travel back smoothly and not have uncontrolled jumps through time. She is also the last time traveller, the ‘Ruby’. Now she must work with the rude, insufferable Gideon de Villiers, the ‘Diamond’ of the Circle of Twelve. Soon after, Gwyneth travels into time to meet the founder of the Lodge, Count Saint-Germain. For some unexplained reason, her mother is strongly against this meeting. Who can Gwyneth and Gideon really trust in 18th century London?

Okay. I give this book a 4.5/5 because this book was REALLY hilarious at times (or maybe my sense of humour is just awful). This book is also quite slow at the beginning, they just kept talking and talking and talking. Late Night Show much?? I think it’s okay considering that there was lots of information about time travelling and I forgave it since it was only the first book. But other from that it was perfectly fine! I’ve actually read this book more than once. *guilty*

This book was actually originally written in German because the author is German. This book is number one of a trilogy, The following books are Sapphire Blue and Emerald Green.

Teen Book Review – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player OneThe book review this month is: (drumroll pleaseee) Ready Player One by Ernest Cline! It’s been a while since the movie came out so hopefully I won’t be revealing too much in this review. Anyways, a super quick summary: Ready Player One is set in the future, and is narrated by a guy named Wade. In this future, the world is dying, global warming and the fossil fuel crisis is at it’s worse and the world isn’t expected to last much longer. However, why live in this world when you could live in a much better one? Introducing… The OASIS, a virtual reality everyone basically lives in. A place where you could easily go to mars, defeat monsters and live out your dream life. A place where you aren’t about to die. And guess what, the founder/creator (James Halliday) of this computer program has just passed away, and his fortune is up for grabs… we’re talking multibillions right now… but, to make sure someone worthy inherits his mountains of cash, Halliday set up a scavenger hunt inside the game in which only the most able and talented gamers would be able to find and solve all the scattered clues. Okay, that was pretty much all I can reveal without spoiling more than the first few pages of the book. My opinion of this book is super high! I find it a great read that doesn’t take too much time for those of us who are busier. I can also tell that Mr. Cline researched quite a lot before writing said novel because everything in here, all the allusions (did your english teacher drill this term into your head yet?) are very intricate and well thought-out. Just WOW that’s a lot of effort put into creating this book. I can’t really explain it without you reading the book yourself so go do it right now. I’ll wait. Need more motivation? I rate it a 5/5 :)) completely. Now GO!!!

Teen SRC 2018 – Into White by Randi Pink

Into White

Into White by Randi Pink

Toya lives in Montgomery, Alabama and is shunned by almost everyone due to her race. Her only friend is her brother Alex. Desperate to be anything but black, Toya’s prayers are answered. Her new appearance attracts boys, friends, and popularity, but everyone who was important to her slowly starts to inch away from her.

This was an incredible book. It was not only humorous but it also had a great plot. The author Randi Park did an incredible job portraying the relationship between each character, in a short quick read. I would rate this book a 5/5.

Teen SRC 2018- The Name Of This Book Is A Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

Image result for the name of this book is secret  The Name Of This Book Is A Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch

In this book Cassandra is an 11 year old girl who is prepared for anything. From earthquakes to floods to even hurricanes, she has it all in her backpack that she always wears. Cass is a kid who isn’t like the others, she doesn’t really have any friends until she meets Max-Ernest another misfit kid. Max-Ernest is a kid like others just without many friends and who has a strange life. His parents are divorced but still live in the same house. You see their house is divided into two, but neither parent can cross the middle.

Theres real-estate agent for the deceased named Gloria. She cleans out peoples houses and tries to sell them. But one day she comes across a box labeled “The Symphony of Smells” in a old magicians home. Gloria gave the box to Cass and her grandfathers. Cass and Max-Ernest want to find out more on this box and magician so they become partners and start digging for clues. But what they didn’t know is that two people want that same box. The two find out that the house and box belonged to Pietro Bergamo. After digging a little bit more they soon find a secret room.

Back to the two people, they are Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L. The two of them are part of the Midnight Sun Spa. Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L find out that Cass and Max-Ernest have the box but they also want a special song and they think that Cass has it in a notebook she found that was writen by Pietro. Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L look for Cass and Max-Ernest at their school. Cass goes to the Midnight Sun pretending to be someone else but soon discovers that its an evil business that Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L made. Max-Ernest and Cass do many secret things there and in the end lets just say there is no more Midnight Sun.

I found this book very interesting because you would never know what was going to happen next. I like how the author of The Name Of This Book Is A Secret kept certain things a secret like where they where and when it was, it always kept you in suspense. I think Cass is an interesting person and I would definitely recommend this book to you. I have read the next book in the Secret Series (If your reading this book its too late) and loved it. The next book is a continuation of the first with another adventure in the hands of Cass and Max-Ernest! I can’t wait to read the third book.

 

Teen SRC 2018 – Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire By Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. However, nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol, a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.
As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol’s cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can’t prove, without a shadow of doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I did the first Hunger Games book. Many parts were boring and I felt that this book did not reach the high expectations I had after reading the Hunger Games. The plot is basic and did not keep me interested. The characters did not develop very much within this book so for me that was a major let down. I would not recommend this book.

Teen SRC 2018 – Divergent By Veronica Ross

Divergent By Veronica Ross

In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Divergent for me was very enjoyable to read. I found myself connected to the story and characters, causing me to constantly wondering what would happen next. Tris and all the characters around her had great development throughout the story making me genuinely sad when a character would die. This book was overall very exciting and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Teen SRC 2018- Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games is a very action packed book with a lot of excitement. It takes place in a place what was once North America. There are 12 districts control by the Capitol of Panem and the Capitol has created a national violent game called the Hunger Games. Every district needs to send 2 youths to compete in the the game. They will need to fight to death until 1 stands alive. (Yes, I know it’s so cruel.) This story is about a 16 year old girl named Katniss Everdeen, competing in the Hunger Games, surviving on her hunting skills and quick thinking. She will meet difficult problems and face impossible choices.

I personally really like this book but some parts are really violent and sad. So if you can’t stand someone dying then I suggest you not read this series. It is very exciting and written very well. I would rate this book 5 stars. Enjoy the book if you decide to read it! Hope you found this helpful. =)