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Hole in My LifeHole in My Life, BookA Memoir by Jack Gantos
by Gantos, JackBook - 2002 | First edition.Book, 2002. First edition.
Added May 14, 2022
The OutsidersThe Outsiders, Book
by Hinton, S. E.Book - 2019 | [Penguin Mini edition]Book, 2019. [Penguin Mini edition]
Added May 07, 2022
Comment:
Xuaner says: Ponyboy Curtis is a 14 year-old Greaser living in the East side of town. While struggling with the unfairness of society, Pony goes on a roller coaster of emotional conflicts. With the constant fights between the Greasers and the Socials, he learned that not everyone is what people stereotypically think they are, and that everybody has their own good side. Would Ponyboy be able to resolve the tension between his family members? Would he be able to accept who he is?
This is a novel written by S.E. Hinton. Beautiful character development, had me hooked every chapter. There were many characters that made you change the way you saw the world: the ending was well written, and concluded the story well. There were many surprises and small parts of the book that I’ve missed but caught after re-reading it. The story is very immersing, I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy drama and stories from the 60s.Xuaner says: Ponyboy Curtis is a 14 year-old Greaser living in the East side of town. While struggling with the unfairness of society, Pony goes on a roller coaster of emotional conflicts. With the constant fights between the Greasers and the…
The Temperature of Me and YouThe Temperature of Me and You, Book
by Zepka, BrianBook - 2022Book, 2022
Tigard_Teens's rating:
Added Dec 18, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Genevieve: Brian Zepka's debut novel, The Temperature of Me and You, begins like all great adventures: in a Dairy Queen. Dylan Highmark lives in the cold wasteland that is the suburbs of Philadelphia. When he isn't working at Dairy Queen or attending school at Falcon Crest, Dylan is doing his best to get a boyfriend. Unfortunately for Dylan, he is one of the only openly gay students at Falcon Crest High School. Yet, his low prospects don't stop his best friends, Perry and Kirsten, from doing their absolute best to set him up with anyone and everyone. After all, "Every day is a day for a Perry Love Connection!" Yet, after another failed date at Dairy Queen, Dylan is undoubtedly depressed. That is until Jordan Ator walks through the door and right into Dylan's heart. Yet, Dylan doesn't know that Jordan is hot in more ways than one, or rather he wouldn't have known if it wasn't for Jordan's "explosive" introduction. The Temperature of Me and You follows the adventures of Dylan, an average sixteen-year-old boy, and Jordan, a not-so-average teenage boy, as they fight to understand their feelings for each other and keep HydroPro and Dylan's friends from discovering their secret. Brian Zepka's characters are richly realistic, and his captivating descriptions only add to the depth of the characters and their world. Yet, unfortunately, I can not recommend this book to anyone under the age of at least thirteen as the book mentioned sex, suicide, and underage drinking. With that said, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality writing, intricate relationships, excellent world-building, and well-thought-out storyline. While there were faults, such as the somewhat forced romance, normalization of underage drinking, and minor plot holes, The Temperature of Me and You was a splendid book and one of the better debut novels I have read. So, for anyone who loves queer science-fiction romance and is comfortable reading about sex, underage drinking, and suicide, I would highly suggest you read The Temperature of Me and You.Teen review from Genevieve: Brian Zepka's debut novel, The Temperature of Me and You, begins like all great adventures: in a Dairy Queen. Dylan Highmark lives in the cold wasteland that is the suburbs of Philadelphia. When he isn't working at Dairy…
Tigard_Teens's rating:
Added Sep 15, 2021
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Suha:
Summary:
This story takes the point of view of Priya, a premed student who has contracted chronic Lyme disease and must put a hold on her studies to stay at home with her family in New Jersey. She joins an online support group for people with chronic illnesses and befriends good and helpful people who help Priya through the new challenges and weaknesses that her illness brings her. One of those friends is Brigid, who doesn't share much about her chronic illness but is a good friend to Priya nonetheless. Her illness would be a spoiler if it wasn't a part of the title itself; she's a werewolf. Priya and Brigid work together to help each other through the different struggles their illnesses bring about.
Likes and Dislikes:
I loved the uniqueness of the storyline itself. We read books about werewolves and we read about illnesses but we usually don't see the two intertwined into one story. The story didn't take the full fantasy route and instead, left a very realistic feel with likable characters like Priya, Brigid, and basically every character in the book.
It isn't exactly a dislike but I would've loved to read more about some of the main minor characters in the story such as Spencer, an animal control guy who teams up with Brigid and Priya and helps them.
Unique Qualities:
The online support group conversations were written in an easy to read format and not in a way I've read before. The conversations themselves were lively and exciting and made it feel like you were a part of the conversations instead of a bystander or outsider.
Who I'd Recommend:
I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy a solid werewolf story told in a heartwarming, quirky way filled with hilarious text/chat-based conversations. I'd highly recommend this book to anyone with a chronic illness or who'd love to learn more about or gain empathy for people with chronic illnesses.Teen review from Suha:
Summary:
This story takes the point of view of Priya, a premed student who has contracted chronic Lyme disease and must put a hold on her studies to stay at home with her family in New Jersey. She joins an online support…
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Miriam: This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron follows the story of seventeen-year-old Briseis Greene, a girl with a special ability that literally will not leave her alone. At the end of her junior year, she finds herself basically friendless and totally exhausted from trying to hide the way any kind of plants seek her out and are revitalized by her presence. Around this time as well her biological aunt dies, willing her a huge property out in the country in a little town called Rhinebeck. She and her two moms talk about the potential dangers of moving out from Brooklyn, New York, into a more heavily forested area, but eventually decide that it might give her the break and freedom she needs, or “to stretch.”
Briseis and finds a lot of strange things about the ages-old property, and the deeper she digs, the more interested—if not confused—she becomes. There’s a lot of mystery and tightly shut lips around town around the people that used to live in the ancient mansion Briseis inherited, and despite all the apprehension she feels about discovering more, she can’t rest easy without knowing.
Firstly, being painfully uneducated about any kind diversity in books or general media, I’ve got no clue what “Black Girl Magic” is supposed to mean, so I’m just gonna say that Kalynn Bayron did pretty well with that, considering that I can’t see any tokenism in the representation of POC in this book (in total honesty, though, if there was, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tell). On the note of representation, another thing I liked is the addition of LGBTQ+ characters and how nobody really makes a big deal about it, instead treating it normally (as they should).
Something about the book I can definitely appreciate as well are the pop culture references, like Broadway and Tiktok. Part of the process of making a book more modern and relatable is including real life things like that, but here you can tell that the author actually understood what she was saying instead of just slapping them in the book and calling it good (the only flaw I find in the modernization in this book is all the characters’ impeccable grammar over text. Not even an accidental mistake like “its” instead of “it’s”, but it’s not really a big deal).
The cast of characters also really pops out. Each one is unique and I can actually see them as people I’d pass on the street or talk to in a grocery store. In the story, they’re all provided with their own unique voices and every one is unlike the next.
My only bone to pick is that it took a little bit longer than I would’ve liked for Briseis to make a definite connection between the secrets in the mansion, her biological heritage, and her power. That might just be because I’ve read a lot of books with slightly quicker plots or main characters more likely to have their heads in books and find that kind of association because of how different things have always been more or less romanticized and unrealistic. Either way, it’s a personal preference, and I’m sure the next person or the person after that would probably disagree with me.
I’d recommend this to basically any one of my friends with the same tastes. It’s an adventure, it’s a mystery, it’s thrilling, and above all else it’s a vibrant ride I’m glad I got to take. As far as age rating goes, depending on different individuals, it would definitely depend on preference, and I personally don’t think that any part of This Poison Heart warrants withholding it from younger age groups except for the occasional cursing. For that, I’ll give it a solid fourteen-and-up. It’s a great book but I definitely wouldn’t want an elementary or early middle schooler (at least) seeing that (disregarding all the scarily mature twelve-year-olds I’ve met).
This Poison Heart was a great book. 4.5/5 stars, and only because I'm not professional and therefore don’t feel like I can make that kind of “10/10 amazing superb gold star” call.Teen review from Miriam: This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron follows the story of seventeen-year-old Briseis Greene, a girl with a special ability that literally will not leave her alone. At the end of her junior year, she finds herself basically…
One Great LieOne Great Lie, Book
by Caletti, DebBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Miriam: New highschool graduate Charlotte Hodges is excited to be participating in a writing workshop over the summer run by her idol, Italian author Luca Bruni. After a few rough goodbyes, she’s all set to spend the summer in Venice, but writing isn’t the only thing she plans to do. Charlotte’s family has a bit of an ancient mystery to uncover about a relative and poet from the sixteenth century. All the pieces seem like they’ve fallen into place for Charlotte until she actually gets settled in at La Calamita, Luca Bruni’s private villa, with the other students. Before long, people start acting strange, and the more Charlotte finds out about Venice’s history, the less romantic it seems to become.
The best way I can describe One Great Lie is that it’s one of those books that would make for an amazing movie, but would lose too much of what makes it really special on the way. One Great Lie is all about writing and feminism through the ages, with a dash of romance and cold modern day society. The first thing I enjoyed about this book is how even though Charlotte is an inherently romantic person (I’m not so much), I was still able to relate to her. Even if there were a few times that I didn’t understand her thought processes, I was still able to get her on an emotional level. I liked Charlotte. I was concerned for her, happy for her, and sad for her.
This book definitely deals with a few heavier topics, but they are handled very well. Deb Caletti doesn’t dance around the issue or make the explanation harder to read than the problem itself. She goes straight to the point and, despite Charlotte’s initial shock and confusion, makes sure that the reader knows right from wrong by the end of the book.
One part of the book that maybe makes it the best but also made me kind of sad is the realism. Without going into detail or throwing out spoilers, there’s a huge issue with the antagonist’s behavior, but all that bystanders do are defend them and talk down to those who tried to call them out on it. The backlash the real victims get for speaking up is literally disgusting, but what’s more disgusting is that this kind of situation has played out in real life a few thousand too many times. I would rather the ending be the way it was, though, than if it was all perfect and good won, as strange as that sounds—because that kind of ending would be patronizing (and, if I’m being totally honest, I’m done with watering down harder topics in general at this point).
A small thing to note but not something I can expand on that much is the dose of history that is given as Charlotte explores what Venice was like during the sixteenth century. It was really interesting and I learned a few things I’d never known or been interested in before.
Great book! I’m gonna have to agree with the advised rating, 14+, for semi-frequent cursing and sexual themes. I’d recommend this to any of my friends who are interested in learning about the nitty gritty of modern and old society.Teen review from Miriam: New highschool graduate Charlotte Hodges is excited to be participating in a writing workshop over the summer run by her idol, Italian author Luca Bruni. After a few rough goodbyes, she’s all set to spend the summer in…
If the Shoe FitsIf the Shoe Fits, Book
by Murphy, JulieBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Miriam: Cindy feels stuck, left behind, and maybe—just maybe—like a failure. She just graduated fashion school with a degree in shoe design, but she’s having some trouble getting her ideas up and out there. She moves back home with her stepfamily to LA all the way from New York, where she finds that her stepmother’s incredibly successful reality TV show, Before Midnight, just lost two contestants, and almost right before filming time, too. It’s a dating show full of drama and fake action, but in it, Cindy sees an opportunity to get her name out there and maybe be seen by big name brands.
On Before Midnight, she doesn’t think she’ll gain new friendships. Or new enemies. Or an adoring fanbase. And definitely not to make it as far as she did.
What she least expects, though, is to fall head over fabulous, custom-made heels for this season’s suitor.
Cindy is a terrific main character. Maybe one of the best one I’ve read for a while. She’s a self-respecting young woman who knows she’s fat—which is good, considering how many events and other peoples’ reactions hinge on that fact—and doesn’t let it stop her from being beautiful, talented, and witty. If the Shoe Fits is obviously a fairy tale inspired story right off the bat, but don’t let that fool you. Julie Murphy put the creative in “creative liberty” with all the twists and events she threw into this story, beginning with the most simple of all: Cindy’s stepfamily. In this Cinderella reboot, the entire stepfamily (six people in total) are all likeable, and I actually really liked Cindy’s interactions with them, even if they weren’t as important as some other things.
This book is very heartfelt. It just is—there’s no better way to describe it. The emotions Cindy feels are very real and understandable, but also communicated in a way that doesn’t take too long and is easy to understand, which is a feat, considering how strange being on reality television must feel sometimes.
Another unique quality is one that I’ve been noticing in a lot more books recently (thank God), which is a more comprehensive understanding of modern pop culture and terminology, and this is especially good for some of the social media related exposition throughout the story.
I don’t really find anything to not like about this book except for the ending seeming a little quick (quick, not rushed), but that might just be my personal need for extra closure whenever stories finish.
Over all, 4.5 stars out of 5. It’s a quick read if you really get down to business, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
For its body positivity, I kind of wish I could offer it to younger kids, but due to a few ~steamy~ scenes/implications, I’m gonna have to go with 14-15+. Maybe more depending on your standards.
If you do pick up the book though, I hope you enjoy it.Teen review from Miriam: Cindy feels stuck, left behind, and maybe—just maybe—like a failure. She just graduated fashion school with a degree in shoe design, but she’s having some trouble getting her ideas up and out there. She moves back home with…
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Miriam: Yolk offers up an almost painfully realistic character in Jayne Baek. Estranged from her older sister, June, for basically three years, she’s now trying to find her own in New York as a fashion student, but between her trash apartment, irresponsible roommate, bank account, and overall mental state, it’s safe to say that she isn’t doing too well. One day, June reaches out. Jayne isn’t sure what to think at all until her sister reveals that she developed cancer. Everything gets pretty from there, but as the sisters begin to spend more time with each other, talking about and unearthing things about their less-than-pleasant childhood, tension and bad blood among other emotional baggage from their past they thought they might never understand or be able to let go begins the slow process of righting itself at the same time.
Mary H. K. Choi illustrates life in a way that is bitterly real. The kind of real where her illustration of life is still enjoyable to read, but also hits too close to home at some points. At the same time, though, I think that just makes Jayne an even more relatable character. Sometimes, all she finds herself being is just disappointed with life and where hers and other peoples’ screw ups got her, and while I can’t claim to have her personal brand of general misfortune, I feel for her. Personally, this writing took an angle I haven’t seen people really take without getting called dramatic or depressing, but I 100% appreciate the realism.
On another note, the characters exist like real people. They actually could be real people—I feel like everyone knows one Ingrid, even if not by that name, and she wasn’t even a main character. The main-main characters, Jayne and June, interact in such tangible ways that I, with my inferior writing skills, don’t even know how to begin to explain it; although, I do have words for how much I adore Patrick, but I won’t waste your time.
This book is something I took probably way too long to finish reading, but the more I think about it, maybe that’s good. Yolk is… heavy. It doesn’t just tackle darker topics or ones that are usually considered taboo and tiptoed around by society, it grabs them around the metaphorical waist and gently suplexes them—and if we’re being metaphorical here, consider the ground to be the reader. Choi recognized that too. I have seen a lot of things with trigger or content warnings on them, like music videos, rants, or other various forms of media that might have content that could be harmful to those with triggers, but I have never seen one in a book.
Even still, the words, “Take up space, it’s your birthright,” are some of the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard.
Over all, I’d give it an age range of 14-15+, heavily erring on the side of 15. As for stars, 4.5. (I’ll admit I’m biased. I have a bit of a bone to pick with open-ended books, but this was written well, so that’s none of my business).
One last note, too, I have no idea why it’s called yolk. Just saying.Teen review from Miriam: Yolk offers up an almost painfully realistic character in Jayne Baek. Estranged from her older sister, June, for basically three years, she’s now trying to find her own in New York as a fashion student, but between her trash…
Boy From BuchenwaldBoy From Buchenwald, BookThe True Story of A Holocaust Survivor
by Waisman, RobertBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Abby: Boy from Buchenwald follows the true story of a boy named Romek Wajsman, who is a Polish boy that was enslaved by the German Nazis during World War ll for being Jewish. After he was freed from the Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945, Romek joined together with a group of boys that were called the Buchenwald Boys. They had their differences, few were intellectual, most troublemakers, some had become close friends while others didn't get along, but one thing tied them all together; they were all survivors from the brutal conditions and harsh treatments of the Nazi concentration camps. With the help of a rehabilitation center, these boys were given a new chance at life filled with opportunities to make up for the time they had lost. However, nothing could take away the horrors that they had experienced. This is the story of how Romek, who endured this horrific historical event, found a new reason to live and a new hope when everything that he loved was taken and destroyed from him.
This touching book, written by Romek Wajsman, who later in life changed his name to Robbie Waisman, with Susan McClelland, reveals the harsh contrast between our lives and the basic qualities of life that were deprived from the people suppressed by the Nazis. They struggled to find proper nutrition, clothing, and were often separated from family. Romek’s account puts our lives in a new perspective and opens a door to empathize with what he and many others who didn’t live to tell their story went through. Although sad and tragic, there is a glint of hope in the shadows of this devastating narrative, as there were many people who cared about these children, the future generation, by taking protection of kids whose families were either dead or missing. From reading this, it shows that even in the darkest of tragedies there are good people who want to counteract the evil in the world. Even if the many people who stepped in throughout Romek’s life could not fix or even fully comprehend what he went through, they were present and active in aiding him in whatever way they could, which may have been the sole reason that this story turned from one of bitterness into one of healing.
This book will not only be engaging for other readers, because of it’s story format, but will give them a better understanding of the events that took place, due to the incorporated factual information. This will allow readers to walk away with more than just an understanding of the emotional impact of World War II. In addition, the author did an excellent job of portraying the repercussions that affected individuals in different ways and degrees. Romek met many people all with different backgrounds and stories during his life. Some survived the concentration camps just like he did, while others had hidden away by moving to different countries or changing their identities to live with friends, neighbors or relatives. This book accurately showed the reality of World War II through the different circumstances of individuals.
This story is not just a historic report of events, but a personal take on what getting back to regular life was like for many young boys after the horrendous events they experienced. For fans of historical non-fiction, this is an excellent book worth reading about how children, one in particular, who were left without families, were affected after the war.Teen review from Abby: Boy from Buchenwald follows the true story of a boy named Romek Wajsman, who is a Polish boy that was enslaved by the German Nazis during World War ll for being Jewish. After he was freed from the Buchenwald concentration camp…
Folding TechFolding Tech, BookUsing Origami and Nature to Revolutionize Technology
by Kenney, Karen LatchanaBook - 2021Book, 2021
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Nathan:
Summary: The book Folding Tech: Using Origami and Nature to Revolutionize Technology, is about how origami is found in nature, and ways origami has, and can revolutionize technology. It also talks about the math behind origami, and what is coming up next with origami technology. The book talks about a wide variety of things like ladybugs wings, leaf buds, all the way to highly advanced spacecraft, and telescopes.
I like how they included how to make certain origami creations in the book, and showed how some of the ways origami appears in nature and technology actually worked with drawings and pictures, instead of only using text. I also appreciate how they put everything in sections, so if I need to just look at one topic like origami math, I can just flip to that section and read about it. One of my favorite things about this book were all the different examples of technology and nature where origami had a part in, and it really showed me how much origami has influenced our world. Something that I didn't really like though is as a beginner in origami, I didn't really understand some of the more complicated parts of the book such as the math behind origami, and some of the origami in nature. So I would have liked it to be a little simpler.
One of the cool features the book includes is a timeline of all the breakthroughs in origami. Another cool feature is it shows tips on becoming a professional at origami, and websites and videos on how to get better as well. Overall I thought that all the different topics relating to origami were very intriguing. I would recommend this to people who know a little bit about origami, but are looking to discover more on the topic, because it talks about lots of different small topics relating to origami, and goes into detail about them. I think to understand it fully, you would need to be around 16-18 years old, but people ages 10-15 could still understand it as well. I would give this book a ⅘ rating, because i enjoyed almost everything about it except for that its a bit complex at parts.
Introduction: Miura’s Revelation
Likes: Included different examples of a revolutionary fold pattern called the Miura-Ori appearing in technology, and made a guide on how to make the miura-ori fold with a sheet of paper.
Dislikes: It doesn't explain the 2 different types of folds in origami until after the introduction, so i didn't really understand what the guide meant until i finished chapter 1.
Chapter 1: Inside the Folds: From Paper to Robots
Likes: Includes the ancient origins of origami such as Sadako’s paper cranes, and how paper was made in ancient times. Includes the basics or origami, like the 2 folds, creases, and raw edges. Has a website called TreeMaker, made by an early origami science pioneer, named Robert J. Lang. You make a stick drawing of whatever you want, and turn it into an origami fold pattern. Also includes Lang's history as an origamist.
Dislikes: Only includes one example of a tree maker fold, i just wish there were a couple more to see more of the possibilities with this website. Also wished it included the link to the website somewhere where it talks about treemaker, just like it did the other websites shown.
Chapter 2: Nature’s Origami: Leaf Buds, Bug Wings, and Proteins
Likes: Includes the different ways nature inspired modern day technology like velcro, was inspired by the burrs plant, self cleaning paint was inspired by the leaves of a lotus plant, and super stick tape was inspired by gecko feet. Also includes how a lady bug unfolds its wings with a bunch of drawings showing how it is done. It even shows the crease marks on their wings! It also shows how to do an experiment by Biruta Kresling, which shows force folding, which is folding using just force.
Dislikes: I found this area of the book to be quite boring, simply because nature is not exactly my favorite topic, and some parts I didn't quite understand what they were talking aboutTeen review from Nathan:
Summary: The book Folding Tech: Using Origami and Nature to Revolutionize Technology, is about how origami is found in nature, and ways origami has, and can revolutionize technology. It also talks about the math behind…
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Ethan: The Right Side of Reckless is a book about a boy who used to be part of a bad crowd and is trying to reform himself, and a girl who is controlled by her parents to do whatever they want. The boy, Guillermo, has moved to Ohio from Mexico to start a new life and commit community service hours. The girl, Regan, works at the community center that Guillermo will also work in, and her mother is in charge of keeping an eye on Guillermo. They are both high schoolers and despite being told not to, develop feelings for each other. However, there are many things that are keeping them from each other. The two must understand who they really are to overcome many obstacles to finally realize what is right in life.
There are some pretty strong elements in the book like the characters, the writing, and the plot. It is also nice that some people can relate to the hardships that the characters go through. The story also knows how to build suspense, having the reader questioning what is going to happen and how things will play out. Although there are some areas in the book where the story feels a bit rushed to get to important plot points quickly. It’s not that big of an issue but it can sometimes ruin the smooth pacing of the story.
The book doesn’t have very many unique properties other than using real-life problems that some people have to make the story interesting and develop characters. Romance lovers and kids in high school who are in relationships will probably enjoy this book and relate to it. The book is worth a read with relatable characters with interesting development arcs and a sweet and satisfying ending.Teen review from Ethan: The Right Side of Reckless is a book about a boy who used to be part of a bad crowd and is trying to reform himself, and a girl who is controlled by her parents to do whatever they want. The boy, Guillermo, has moved to Ohio…
Notes From A Young Black ChefNotes From A Young Black Chef, BookAdapted for Young Adults
by Onwuachi, KwameBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
Added Aug 27, 2021
Comment:
Teen review from Abby: Growing up in New York, Kwame was raised with his mother’s many flavors of authentic cooking, cultivated from their heritage. During adolescence, he found himself hanging out with the wrong crowd due to the rough experiences he had as a child. When he came to the realization that he wanted to make something of his life, he returned to the food of his roots. With little money to work with, he fought his way up in the world of fine dining by starting his own catering business and gaining experience through some of the highest praised restaurants in the world. This was no easy feat, especially for a man of color. However, through it all he never gave up hope on his goal to bring together and celebrate the culture and heritage of his life, even when his dreams remained dim.
Kwame Onwuachi takes his readers on a first person narrative of his life in his book Notes from a Young Black Chef, which is one truly compelling story that inspired me to reevaluate how I approach life. Kwame came up against many barricades that could have stopped him from pursuing his ambitions, including money, time, energy, opportunity, and knowledge, but through it all he used what he learned from his childhood to never let his circumstances determine the success of the outcome. Continuing to be motivated, he only viewed failures as a way to make you more equipped and stronger moving forward. This book will motivate you and use your talents and interest to make the world a better place, as it allowed me to see what it really means to fight for what I believe in and alway be moving forward for what is to come.
Throughout this book, Kwame takes you on an inside look of the cooking industry by explaining the hierarchies within the top rated kitchens that he worked in. It sheds light on the immense pressure that comes with working in a restaurant and the unreasonable standards of performance that young aspiring chefs have to work through as they progress. He writes honestly and reflects on his experiences about the unmentioned racial biases that live within our society. Because fine dining is a dominantly white field, he expresses the push back and criticism that he received as a black man wanting to become a leading chef in the world of fine cuisine. I found that he didn’t understate or exaggerate this reality and was sincere about the relationships that he formed with many different people, even ones he least expected. This could be noted from how he found something positive to take away and learn from even during the worst experiences, adding to his knowledge of what not to do when he becomes a chef. When telling the whole story, he didn’t brush over the situations he got himself into as a young teen, but instead took ownership for his actions, which allowed me to root for him throughout the ups and downs of his life. This disposition was refreshing to read about and is what allowed me to empathize with him and see his perspective.
It is important for young adults to read this book to learn that no matter where you come from or who you are, you are capable of achieving your aspirations. Kwame’s story can be a testament to that, because even when failure arises it does not determine the end of the story, in fact it could just be getting started. Nothing great comes to those who demand it, but those who work for it will become great. For young adults and adults alike, this is a great read for anyone who is intrigued by the cooking industry and would like to follow a black man’s story of working his way up in the world of fine dining and elegant cuisine.Teen review from Abby: Growing up in New York, Kwame was raised with his mother’s many flavors of authentic cooking, cultivated from their heritage. During adolescence, he found himself hanging out with the wrong crowd due to the rough experiences…
Violet and DaisyViolet and Daisy, BookThe Story of Vaudeville's Famous Conjoined Twins
by Miller, SarahBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
Added Aug 27, 2021
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Teen review from Ryder: Sarah Miller tackles the glamorous and heartbreaking story of Violet and Daisy Hilton in Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville’s Famous Conjoined Twins. Born fused at the hip in Brighton, England, the Hilton’s shared a connection in more ways than one. Although abandoned at birth, and regarded as “freaks” and “monsters” by the media, Violet and Daisy’s decades-long career shattered box office records and warmed audiences' hearts throughout the 20s and 30s. Their lives, shadowed by abuse and wrought with intrusion, were anything but easy. Still, love prevails over evil in this endearing story of art, devotion, and sacrifice.
If I’m being completely honest, I’ve always found nonfiction a tough genre to crack. So often, I feel as though the author is making me work to eat through the pages, like I’m climbing a hill, and that if I just manage to reach the final chapter, I’ll discover that the entire trek was worth it. It was not until I’d read Sarah Miller’s work that I could confidently say, yes, the trek was worth it. Yet ironically, this time it wasn’t a trek at all. Miller does a fantastic job of delivering non-fiction text through the eyes of a storyteller. Violet and Daisy’s lives become more than interesting; they are enthralling. I never once grew bored reading about the in’s and out’s of vaudeville life, the challenges that come with being conjoined, or the little quirks that made each Hilton sister their own. Miller’s writing is clear and concise, yet she tickles with the prose, creating a piece of art audiences of all ages would enjoy. Additionally, the novel is a perfect length, never feeling too dense or too sparse in material. It was a very enjoyable read.
The only problematic aspect of the book is a rather large one, though it is not the fault of the author. Violet and Daisy, born into a business with a tendency to exaggerate, were notorious for fictionalizing parts of their lives. More than just “parts,” actually. As you work through the book, each lavish story that is presented is also met with some harsh skepticism. Could the Hilton sisters really remember what their stepmother said to them at two years-old? Or recall the exact feeling of their pram? I highly doubt so, yet these fairly obvious pieces of misinformation are tough to disprove, as there was far less documentation during the time period. I appreciate that Miller doesn’t attempt to present her material as the definitive truth, but it is still disappointing to be told every grandiose tale most likely didn’t happen. The Hiltons’ recollections and stories were so sketchy, that I began to second-guess if I was actually reading nonfiction. You want so badly to root for Violet and Daisy, yet it is difficult when so much of their persona’s are built on lies.
Overall, I’d recommend Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville’s Famous Conjoined Twins, to newcomers in the nonfiction genre. However, those with more experience reading this style of novel might be turned off by the fictionalized elements. Otherwise, the writing is brilliant, and I hope to dive into more of Sarah Miller’s work. I’m sure it will be the most wonderful “trek” ever.Teen review from Ryder: Sarah Miller tackles the glamorous and heartbreaking story of Violet and Daisy Hilton in Violet and Daisy: The Story of Vaudeville’s Famous Conjoined Twins. Born fused at the hip in Brighton, England, the Hilton’s shared a…
Added Aug 27, 2021
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Teen review from Ryder: Brigid Kemmerer’s highly anticipated new fantasy series kicks off with Defy the Night. In the kingdom of Kandala, a plague of fevers have begun to ravage the land, as well as the hope of its citizens. Upon discovery of the only known cure for the disease (an elixir made from a restricted supply of moonflower petals), tension builds between those who can afford the medicine, and those who cannot. Noticing the inequity in its distribution, apothecary apprentice Tessa Cade begins illegally manufacturing the elixir with her friend, Wes, an act that could cost her life under the brutal rule of King Harristan and Prince Corrick. Told through her and Corrick’s perspectives, Defy the Night tells a story of love amidst rebellion, and the personal sacrifices one must make to envision a brighter future.
This novel is simply perfect for the times, and I found myself holding in countless breaths at the similarities between Kandala and our own world. Kemmerer’s writing is both charming and straightforward, making it accessible to a wide audience of readers. This is crucial, as I believe it is important for people of all ages (especially youth) to draw conclusions from stories and question the political atmosphere they are growing up in (it’s also a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers, so who can resist that)? Each character feels fleshed out and very real, something that doesn’t happen as often as it should in media, particularly when said characters are younger. Additionally, I found it impactful that Kemmerer tells the story through characters on both sides of the “Kandala conflict” (royals and rebels), to emphasize themes of empathy and similarity between dichotomies of people.
Although the characters and worldbuilding are top-notch, I found the first fifty or-so pages a little slow, and some of the plot-twists to be predictable. Tessa and Corrick consistently find themselves in a position of danger, to then be miraculously rescued by some outside force. This is effective once or twice, but starts feeling repetitive as the story reaches its conclusion. I wanted more consequences for these characters! Rip my heart out, Brigid! Similarly, the novel wraps up quite smoothly for the circumstance of the plot, and I was hoping for a more drastic cliffhanger to build anticipation for the second novel.
All in all, I’d recommend Defy the Night to any and all interested in wrapping themselves up in a beautifully crafted world, with characters they will become just a little too attached to. Adults should not shy away from this story, even though it’s target audience is younger teens, for its appeal is ageless. I am definitely undergoing Kandala withdrawals, and am counting down the days till the sequel’s release. I suppose I’ll have to pick up a few more Kemmerer novels in the meantime, right?Teen review from Ryder: Brigid Kemmerer’s highly anticipated new fantasy series kicks off with Defy the Night. In the kingdom of Kandala, a plague of fevers have begun to ravage the land, as well as the hope of its citizens. Upon discovery of the…
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Added Jun 16, 2021
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This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron follows the story of seventeen-year-old Briseis Greene, a girl with a special ability that literally will not leave her alone. At the end of her junior year, she finds herself basically friendless and totally exhausted from trying to hide the way any kind of plants seek her out and are revitalized by her presence. Around this time as well her biological aunt dies, willing her a huge property out in the country in a little town called Rhinebeck. She and her two moms talk about the potential dangers of moving out from Brooklyn, New York, into a more heavily forested area, but eventually decide that it might give her the break and freedom she needs, or “to stretch.”
Briseis finds a lot of strange things about the ages-old property, and the deeper she digs, the more interested—if not confused—she becomes. There’s a lot of mystery and tightly shut lips around town around the people that used to live in the ancient mansion Briseis inherited, and despite all the apprehension she feels about discovering more, she can’t rest easy without knowing.
Firstly, being painfully uneducated about any kind diversity in books or general media, I’ve got no clue what “Black Girl Magic” is supposed to mean, so I’m just gonna say that Kalynn Bayron did pretty well with that, considering that I can’t see any tokenism in the representation of POC in this book (in total honesty, though, if there was, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tell). On the note of representation, another thing I liked is the addition of LGBTQ+ characters and how nobody really makes a big deal about it, instead treating it normally (as they should).
Something about the book I can definitely appreciate as well are the pop culture references, like Broadway and Tiktok. Part of the process of making a book more modern and relatable is including real life things like that, but here you can tell that the author actually understood what she was saying instead of just slapping them in the book and calling it good (the only flaw I find in the modernization in this book is all the characters’ impeccable grammar over text. Not even an accidental mistake like “its” instead of “it’s”, but it’s not really a big deal).
The cast of characters also really pops out. Each one is unique and I can actually see them as people I’d pass on the street or talk to in a grocery store. In the story, they’re all provided with their own unique voices and every one is unlike the next.
My only bone to pick is that it took a little bit longer than I would’ve liked for Briseis to make a definite connection between the secrets in the mansion, her biological heritage, and her power. That might just be because I’ve read a lot of books with slightly quicker plots or main characters more likely to have their heads in books and find that kind of association because of how different things have always been more or less romanticized and unrealistic. Either way, it’s a personal preference, and I’m sure the next person or the person after that would probably disagree with me.
I’d recommend this to basically any one of my friends with the same tastes. It’s an adventure, it’s a mystery, it’s thrilling, and above all else it’s a vibrant ride I’m glad I got to take. As far as age rating goes, depending on different individuals, it would definitely depend on preference, and I personally don’t think that any part of This Poison Heart warrants withholding it from younger age groups except for the occasional cursing. For that, I’ll give it a solid fourteen-and-up. It’s a great book but I definitely wouldn’t want an elementary or early middle schooler (at least) seeing that (disregarding all the scarily mature twelve-year-olds I’ve met).
This Poison Heart was a great book. 4.5/5 stars, and only because I'm not professional and therefore don’t feel like I can make that kind of “10/10 amazing superb gold star” call.
--Reviewed by teen volunteerThis Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron follows the story of seventeen-year-old Briseis Greene, a girl with a special ability that literally will not leave her alone. At the end of her junior year, she finds herself basically friendless and totally…
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