A Long Way Gone

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

Review by Cooper L

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, written by Ishmael Beah, is about Ishmael’s childhood. Ishmael grew up living in a small village in the war-torn country of Sierra Leone. Ishmael was just like any other kid: he would play games with his friends, bond with his brother, and he even formed a rap group. But once the war caught up to the boys, their entire lives were changed. It was a day-to-day struggle to survive. Ishmael and his friends found themselves doing things they never thought possible, like stealing food from innocent children. Sadly, they were eventually forced into the very army that they had feared. He then describes all the horrific events that he went through as a soldier in vivid detail. Ishmael was eventually rescued and sent to a rehabilitation camp before traveling to the U.S. In the end, Ishmael Beah finally escapes Sierra Leone and is able to travel to America to become a free man.

A Long Way Gone is full of violence and has very graphic details throughout the story, but, at the same time, this is what makes Ishmael's story so believable.  It would be difficult to make up the horrific stories that are part of Ishmael’s real experience.  If you are sensitive to gory scenes and violence against women and children, then this memoir would probably be difficult for you to read. It can also be slow at times when the boys are walking from village to village. Yet, I would still recommend this book to anyone who wants an eye-opening experience on how kids in war-torn countries are exploited, brutalized and have to learn to deal with their everyday life. 

This is also an important book if you are a teenager or young adult because you can reflect on how your life is different than Ishmael’s. For example, when I was the same age as Ishmael in this book, instead of shooting AK-47s and fighting to survive every day, I was hanging out with my friends and fighting battles on the playground, not a battleground. This is why A Long Way Gone is such an important read--it forces one to think about and not take their security and relative wealth for granted.

This memoir is mind-boggling and never failed to disappoint. This is because life in Sierra Leone is so different than our safe, comfortable one here. In Sierra Leone, adults would give kids a gun and brainwash them with drugs at such a young age, and Ishmael Beah captures it all perfectly. I was reminded and shocked at how fortunate we are to be living in the United States and that things could be so different elsewhere. A Long Way Gone is a major eye-opener for American readers, and it will make anyone who reads it incredibly thankful for what they have in life.    

Scratch Beginnings

Book Review of Scratch Beginnings

by Ben K

Every American has a dream, and every dream can be accomplished. No matter where you come from, how much money you have, or how old a person is, if one has the work ethic, the will, and the desire to achieve their dream, they can. It won’t necessarily be easy, but the American dream is still alive and can be achieved by any person.

If you are looking for a book that is very descriptive, and exceptionally motivating Adam Shepard’s memoir Scratch Beginnings, is perfect. The memoir consists of Shepard’s journey and experiment to discover if the American dream is still alive, and achievable by any person. His adventure begins in Charleston, South Carolina, about one thousand miles south from his home town of North Andover, Massachusetts. Adam Shepard’s goal by the end of his project is to possess an operable automobile, live in a furnished apartment, have $2500 in cash, and most notably be in a place where he can improve his circumstances. Also to make his project more accurate and realistic, Adam developed a set of guidelines such as; not using his credit history, not using his college education, and not relying on any past contacts to help him. Will he survive on twenty-five dollars? Is the American dream still alive? Will he be able to achieve his goals? Join Adam Shepard on his adventure in Scratch Beginnings to find out…

Overall the book is very interesting and extremely engaging. Once you pick up the memoir you will not want to set it down. Throughout the memoir there are multiple jokes, scenes, and conversations that will truly keep you engaged while also making you laugh. The memoir starts off very quickly with multiple dilemmas, lots of drama, and many “close call” situations. Although the beginning chapters are exceedingly amusing, a pattern within the later chapters begins to arise. In almost every chapter, past chapter five, there is a recurring theme of “I woke up. Went to work. Met a nice guy that could help me in the future. Went back to the shelter. Went to sleep.”. The recurring theme was very thought-provoking at first but after a while the amusingness of the repetitive theme got extraordinarily bland and old. I wish the memoir had not dedicated such vast detail to minor situations, which would have allowed for additional commentary on the more meaningful events. In result the story would flow better, and maybe even become a longer story so we could see the final result of the project in much more detail.

We Were Liars

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Book Review by Charlotte B

On a private island off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, the Sinclair family deems to have the most perfect of lives. From private tennis lessons, to servants at their fingertips, the Sinclairs are very privileged and they know it. Their annual summer vacation, on a private island off of Martha’s Vineyard, unites the main character, Cadence with her cousins and their friend, Gat.

In this mysteriously engaging young adult novel, the events of the Sinclairs on their private island, Beechwood, create a gripping and easy to follow plot. An unexpected accident that leads Cadence to have amnesia, leads her family and friends to become confused and torn. She returns the next summer which ends up revealing secrets and greed that has been previously hidden. Lockhart brilliantly describes a beautifully tragic and devastating series of events that occur on Beechwood.

Perfect imagery by Lockhart create an elegant and dark atmosphere on the island. These elements create a nice scene when reading the book. This novel distracts the reader from their real life problems and provides dilemmas of its own. It really makes you feel like you’re on Beechwood. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart is one of my favorite books and I definitely recommend it everyone. It is a must read!

Every Day

Every Day Book Review

by Chase D

This book is about a person named “A” and their unique everyday life. A wakes up in a new body every day. But not just a new body, someone else’s body. Every day, A wakes up and has to figure out who the person is, how he or she acts, who their friends are, what relationships are they involved in, and much more, in order to get through the day without attracting attention. The books opens to a day in which A wakes up in the body of a teenage boy named Justin. Immediately, A is able to figure out what kind of person Justin is by his room. As the day progresses, A explores Justin’s life as carefully as possible. That is, until A meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. A falls into a spiral of breaking their rules that they had once put in place to prevent deviation from a person’s everyday life. They break all of the rules and ditch school to go to the beach with Rhiannon, who thinks she is with Justin. The rest of the book is A trying to stay in touch with Rhiannon and convincing her that it wasn’t Justin that day at the beach and that A is a different person every day.

I agree with this quote from A.

“This is what love does: It makes you want to rewrite the world. It makes you want to choose the characters, build the scenery, guide the plot. The person you love sits across from you, and you want to do everything in your power to make it possible, endlessly possible. And when it’s just the two of you, alone in a room, you can pretend that this is how it is, this is how it will be.”

-David Levithan, Every Day

It is the best feeling in the world and David Levithan hit it dead on. In my opinion, he explained an unexplainable feeling with great accuracy.

I recommend this book to everyone that has ever enjoyed reading at some point in their life. I am not a huge fan of reading but this book is outstanding. I have never read anything like it. What kept me reading was A’s struggle to get to Rhiannon. The constant obstacles A had to surpass in order to get back to her were interesting and sometimes funny. Every Day is very well written and I am looking forward to reading more of his books.

My Story

My Story Review

by Piper C and Sophie B

On the night of June 5, 2002, fourteen year old Elizabeth Ann Smart was taken from her home in Salt Lake City. Her captors were religious extremists Brian David Mitchell and his wife Wanda Barzee. She endured nine months of continual rape and abuse and lived in a constant state of horror. She was forced to defy her mormon beliefs and follow the ideas of said prophet Immanuel David Isaiah (Brian David Mitchell). She was stripped of her identity and treated like an animal, chained to a tree and starved. Mitchell would threaten to kill her family if she ever attempted to escape her imprisonment. However, never once did she give up hope that she would return to her family one day. Her sole motivation to continually endure her torture was to keep her family safe.

Her story is told in her book, My Story by Elizabeth Smart. Her story of kidnapping and eventual rescue is one of triumph. As you read the book, you begin to root for Elizabeth's survival more and more. The plot is well developed and throughout the book, she is portrayed as a heroine. You become emotionally attached to Elizabeth and her constant battle for survival. When her captors abuse her and rape her, you begin to feel angry at the people in the world who would do this to an innocent fourteen year old girl.

This is a book that is very easy to get into and you can easily finish it within a few days. It caters to the needs of every reading level. This book is worth the read! It is a beautifully written story of survival that makes you appreciate the life you lead so much more.

Funny in Farsi

Funny in Farsi

Book review by JT Y

Funny in Farsi is a memoir written by Firoozeh Dumas, a daughter of a petroleum engineer that moved to United States right before the Iranian Revolution. Told in a series of short stories, Firoozeh describes adjusting to the American culture and dealing with family’s issues in adjusting. Throughout the book Firoozeh shares her experiences from when she just moved to the United States to when she get married. This remarkable story of Firoozeh’s experiences as an Iranian immigrant is told with sarcastic humor. Funny in Farsi is a book I’d recommend to almost anyone.

When I started reading this book, I expected a sad read about immigrants that came to America at the wrong time. Firoozeh portrayed herself as a happy and lively girl in the midst of all the chaos around her. Although Iranian and American cultures may seem very different a first, by the end of the story, they seem to be most similar cultures in the world. But through the humor, she forces to to look at the irrational prejudiced regarding the people from Middle Eastern countries. Although this happened in the 80s, this prejudices seems to still resonate today

.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast, and fun read. I hope that this book will gain more popularity in schools because, it is both entertaining and enlightening. I read this book in about two days, and I laughed my way through every chapter.

Looking for Alaska

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Review by Logan H

John Green’s Looking for Alaska does an excellent job on portraying the outside life of high school and what really goes on with romance, homework, trouble with the dean and other things. Looking for Alaska explores the high school world from the perspective of a Florida teen, who attends a boarding school in Alabama. Miles “Pudge” Halter. After transferring from a public school in Florida to a Private school in Alabama Miles quickly makes friends with his roommate The Colonel, Alaska Young. “Pudge” learns to balance his social life with his school life while at the same time falling in love with Alaska. During his time at Culver Creek Pudge does lots of things for the first time.  

I would recommend this book to young adults, high school aged students for good life lessons. This book was a very fluent read and I believe young adults enjoy being entertained throughout their book, John Green does a great job representing the reality of the life of a teenager. During the book John Green reflects on the truth of what happens within their lives. Pudge has his first girls. His first drink. His first cigarette. His first prank.

This book was not only humorous and entertaining but also serious and thoughtful. Pudge must resolve continuing issues with teachers, fellow classmates and friends. While at the same time, having the time of his life, living by venturing life with his new best friends.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Review by Farah A

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is a very interesting book. It's about a Native American boy, known in the book as “junior.” He is a very sweet character. He sees all good in the world, despite all the pain he has been through. Junior has a condition in his brain were he had extra water in his skull. He’s a scrawny little kid who people look down upon. He is a pure genius, one of the smartest kids on his reservation. His reservation is full of alcoholics and troubled characters.

With the poor school system on his reservation, Junior asked his parents if he could go to Reardon an all white school, which so happens to be filled with racist country kids. When junior arrives at Reardon he is faced with a lot of racism and I mean A LOT of racism. Once again all the hate that he gets won't stop him. When junior sees the most popular girl in school he goes right after her. Junior was rejected many times, till he finally got the girl.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian was my favorite book that I read this year; the way it's written in such a genuine voice never makes you want to stop reading, because you feel like you're being spoken too. Overall it's a fairly average sized book but its a fast read, I'd recommend it to anyone who likes witty humor and a good realistic fiction tale.

Life As We Knew It

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Review by Kavya P

For my choice book this past fall, I chose to read Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. This book was one of the best dystopian young adult books I’ve read in awhile.

The book is the first part of a trilogy called “Last Survivors”. Life As We Knew It centers around a teenager named Miranda and how her life changes during an astronomical catastrophe. The Moon moves closer to Earth after being hit by a meteor and the repercussions are major. Volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis plague the Earth. All stops are pulled out and Miranda’s happy Pennsylvania life changes to a life of hoarding food and distrust.

I liked this book because it’s told through the diary entries made by Miranda. She details all that happens and what’s she’s feeling which gives the reader a very surreal feeling of what’s going on. This is an apocalyptic story through the eyes of a sixteen-year-old in the modern world. I recommend this book to anyone who likes Swiss Family Robinson or Hatchet as it’s premise is similar to those books.

If you’re thinking about reading this book, you will definitely enjoy it because it’s a reasonable length of only 350 pages. I read the first two books in the series, and I think that the first book is just fine by itself. You don’t have to read the rest of the series to find out what happens. This book is a great read, and you will not be disappointed that you read it.

American Sniper

 American Sniper

Review by Drew P

American Sniper is the memoir written by Navy SEAL Chris Kyle about his life during his career as a sniper in the Navy. Chris Kyle describes how his life was affected during his four tours in Iraq. The book starts with Chris as a boy and how he grew up as a farm boy in Texas. It then goes onto describe how he joined the Navy and the different steps that went into becoming a SEAL. The training gave me an entire new perspective on how difficult it is to become a Navy soldier. After he goes through training he meets his wife Taya and leaves shortly after to go on his first tour. Chris goes into very great detail about how he became the sniper with the most kills in US military history. I thought that the memoir was a very interesting book because I didn’t know how much pain, sweat and agony goes into becoming a SEAL. His memoir really puts into perspective how much being in the military and how much these men and women do for our country. I found this book to be an easier read that had a very good storyline, and was easy to follow along throughout.

I would recommend this book to anyone ages eleven to one-hundred, boy or girl because Chris wrote this book in a way that is . This book is for more mature readers because there are some very gruesome details that might make younger readers close the book. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an action book that is very well written with some mild language. Throughout this book I was thoroughly entertained and wanted to keep reading. Although I thought that this book was very good I would’ve really liked to read more about what went through his mind when he was making these kills. It was probably very hard for him to do this but I would’ve really enjoyed reading what his mental state was during his four tours in Iraq. Through the book Chris makes has very great humor that helped pick up the book when it would be at a drag in the book when it rarely happened. After reading this book I highly recommend it to any reader that doesn’t mind a little bit of obscene language and gore because once you get past that it is a very great read.

Scratch Beginnings

Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard

Book Review by Jackson N.

One of the books I read last Fall was Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard. This is a story of an experiment by Adam to see if the American dream is still alive and well. The experiment he conducted was to pick one spot on a map and travel there with $25, a gym bag, a sleeping bag, the clothes on his back and a 8’ X 10’ tarp. The way Adam will prove that he is successful if he as a home or apartment that is fully furnished, a fully functioning car, $2500 in cash and most importantly, a sustainable way to continue life by either going to school or starting his own business.

I really enjoyed reading about Adam's experiences in the homeless shelter and how he met many different people and all of their colorful personalities. The book is perfectly suited for someone who doesn’t mind a little hard work and enjoys reading about amazing adventures and social experiments. Adam paints a picture effectively of the characters he meets and the relationships he develops.

 If adventure in the real world are what you are looking for, you should really read this book. However, if you are looking for a sugar coated book with a perfect world scenario, put this book back on the self and find another one. Adam’s word choice and storytelling abilities are a reason in itself to read the book, but what really attracted me to read the book was the plot of the story. If you choose to read it, which you should, you will enjoy stories about BG, Derrick and Fast Moving Company. All the people he talks about are either motivating Adam to succeed, or they are discouraging Adam and being a negative impact to Adam's overall well being.  

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner

Review by Clayton R.

Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner by Judy Melinek was a very interesting book that gives insight to the life of a medical examiner in New York City, and all of the crazy stories and lessons that come with investigating people’s deaths. If you are interested in the medical field, or like watching crime shows, this book is great for you. It is packed with story after story that makes you want to keep reading.

I loved the book; however, there are somethings that I did not like. For example, I like how there are plenty of interesting stories, I wish she would have talked more about her personal life. Also, I did not enjoy that there were times that the story kind of jumped around a bit in the storyline and was a little confusing. Other than those two things there is nothing I would change about the book, it was a very enjoyable read.

One thing that I would like to ask the author after reading this book is what type of mental effect does the job of doing autopsies have on you? I wonder this because some of the stories in this book are somewhat gruesome, and learning out how these people died, what would that do to you? Personally, if I were to have her job, I feel that I would have nightmares about some of the stories if I was in charge of learning how someone died. Overall, Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner by Judy Melinek was a great book that I would recommend to anyone who likes crime shows and wants to learn more about what a medical examiner does.

The Selection

The Selection, by Kiera Cass

Review by Katie Z

This is the book that almost started World War III. Maxon-America shippers versus Aspen-America shippers. One would think that such a book would live up to the hype.

I tried so hard to read this. I really did. I got past page 100 and skipped to the end. Yes, I’m a horrible person and I don’t deserve milk and cookies. It’s like The Bachelor with hysterical hormone-crazy teenage girls that are trying to murder each other. Oh, wait, that’s the Hunger Games with girls.

Once upon a time, there was a land called Illéa. In Illéa, citizens are sorted into castes based on their job, from One to Eight, Ones being the best. America Singer, a poor Six, is chosen by the Selection to compete for the prince’s heart and the crown in an elimination-style competition. Her hometown boyfriend, Aspen, is devastated. Sounds cliché already. But wait––it gets worse. The prince, Maxon, has a case of one-dimensional hotness and enjoys calling everyone “my dear”. In addition to the mess at the palace, the population of the future U.S is dissatisfied and is almost in revolt. At the mansion, the girls immediately become obsessed with Maxon, but our hero hates him for no apparent reason. However, Maxon and America start to warm up to each other (My cliché detector exploded by then). In between the more pressing matter of revolution, there are balls, gowns and makeout sessions because that’s what girls like. Note the sarcasm.

The main character is the only good part. She’s the peoples’ champion, embodying the revolutionary idea of a caste-free government. Her fiery temper and prickly personality nabs Maxon’s heart. After the unconvincing beginning, the relationship between Maxon and America creates some notable moments. Nonetheless, the plot consists mainly of giggling, dresses, and romance which tires after a few scenes. A healthy dose of realism and feminism is needed. Not all girls enjoy gowns, swooning, and dates.

As for the other girls, there are hordes of mean brats, plagues of manipulative she-devils, and a few nice people who are eliminated first. The never ending parade of mean kids is used to give main character America a valid reason to win the Selection, but it would be a welcome change if not every girl was trying to win the prince. Could there be a few that are just there for the food? Maybe one that was unwillingly dragged in? The other girls are bland at best without a backstory. Due to the sheer number of supporting characters, none can be developed well.

I also have a problem with the world-building. Cass’s story is set in future America, but it’s hard to imagine without some description. The author tells you it’s a suburb-like hometown, but forgets to describe the surroundings. The royal palace is also said to be cold and fancy, but it’s empty in the absence of descriptions of beds, rooms, and gardens.

If you’re looking for something that’s like a piece of candy: sweet, quick, but empty, then this is the right novel for you.

Rocket Boys

Rocket Boys

Review by Kyle M

Rocket Boys is the autobiography and memoir of Homer H. Hickam Jr., a retired NASA scientist. He recalls his life in high school, telling the story of how he, a failing algebra student, became a rocket scientist. Growing up in the West Virginia mining town of Coalwood, Homer didn’t fit in. Coalwood was only known for two things: its mining, and its high school football team. He didn’t care for either. But when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik-1, he decided that he would take part in the space race.

I enjoyed reading this book, and I recommend that you read it too, regardless of your interest in science. The story explores Homer’s persistence, his resourcefulness, and his motives for building the rockets; each of his family members and friends affected his decisions. While the narrative was a bit melodramatic at times, Homer realistically captured the experience of his high school years, and impressed me with his accomplishments. This is a book that will encourage you to reach for the stars!

My Friend Dahmer

My Friend Dahmer

Review by Dylan R

My Friend Dahmer is a non-fiction graphic novel about the childhood of the infamous serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. Looking through the eyes of one of Dahmer's “friends” this book will help you better understand what it was like growing up with the disturbed adolescent hidden behind mindless laughs and fun encounters. Throughout this book watch Dahmer lose his sanity until he’s holding on by a thread weakened by alcoholism and family problems.

This is one of the first graphic novels i’ve read and after reading it I can safely say I really enjoy graphic novels. It is a fairly easy read but every page is filled with meaningful pictures worth 2000 words! I really enjoyed the detailed pictures the author put in along with the perspective you get to see Dahmer in. It’s crazy to think Dahmer ever had a childhood or that he had feelings at all. The author brought these feelings to light in this novel and gives you a whole new point of view when looking at Dahmer. I would recommend this book to anyone with curiosity and to anyone who is open to hearing the other side of such an appalling story

This taboo graphic novel portrays the mind of a broken man before his dark days where his childhood was gilded with humor and happiness. The lesson to be learned in this book is to help others who struggle whether you think they are weird, unattractive, or different. Everyone has a story and everyone could use support.

Every Day

Book Review by Bridget R

Every Day

Every Day by David Levithan is a young adult fiction novel worth the read! The book is centered around the character A. A is a “soul” with no definite physical form. Instead they move from a different person every single morning as they wake up. A is genderless and raceless, meaning they can take shape of any person’s body as long as they are the same age as A. Usually, A is in all different regions each day - but as the story progresses, the lives A lives in get closer and closer to each other. One day A inhabits the body of an identical twin and the next day inhabits the body of that identical twin’s twin. This book does a wonderful job discussing identity, abusive relationships, morality, and what it means to be alive.

There is a love plot involved, but it doesn’t feel forced or too mushy - instead, it adds to the overall plot of the book. The characters involved are well-developed and layered. The fact that A lives a different life every day leaves you interested and wanting more. It’s a new story every chapter, and Leviathan pulls it off very well by keeping a central theme.

Not only is it interesting and well-written, it’s also a book that caters to teenagers and adds humor that doesn’t feel like an adult is writing (in a good way!). It’s a perfect book for someone who easily tires of the same story and setting as they read a novel. Overall, I thought this book was very good and I highly suggest it.

No Easy Day

No Easy Day 

Book Review by Alex T.

The book I chose to discuss is one that not only is a great piece of American military non fiction literature, but it is one that takes us as close to the truth as we can possibly venture. “No Easy Day”, a memoir by Navy Seal Mark Owen, details the years of preparation and training leading up to the killing of Osama Bin Laden. When he first entered his training for SEAL Team Six, Owen wouldn’t settle for anything until he reached the top of the military food chain. Many moments of triumph, hardship, and even pure misery and woe affected Owen. After the long and challenging trial, Owen was finally accepted on the best special operations team the United States of America had to offer– SEAL Team Six. Throughout the memoir, Owen details some of his smaller missions leading up to the killing of Bin Laden, the most notable of these being the rescue of Captain Phillips. However, the killing of Bin Laden was the main detail of this book. The mission that SEAL Team Six carried out didn’t go exactly as planned, but even with that adversity, they ended up accomplishing their mission. They killed Osama Bin Laden, and because of these men, the world is still a much safer place.

This book is mostly spectacular, but it has some points that I wish were fixed. The first of these points are the length of the book in the beginning. I found that the memoir had some lengthy patches, which made me find it hard to follow along at times. This brings me to my next criticism. When Owen was detailing his life on duty, sometimes the parts would grow to such a length, that it would stray away from the objective of the book. This was the main reason I had some trouble following along with the book. I also felt like the book took too long getting to the scene where they killed Bin Laden. The book is about four-fifths leading up to the mission, and one-fifth detailing the mission. The book also had too many acronyms, but that is needed to shorten sentences and make the book run smoother.

Even though the book had some rough patches, I felt like it could go down as one of the greatest American non-fiction military novels ever. The detailing of the mission was so thorough, I could picture exactly what was going on from the book in my head easier than most of the other books I’ve ever read. After reading this memoir, it made me feel very patriotic and thankful that men like Mark Owen would go through that great of a length to protect America. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in the United States armed forces, and wonders what it takes to be the best of the best. Mark Owen is a great role model; a person who doesn't see giving up as an option and strives to unlock every ounce of potential he has. If there were more people with the same values and principles as Owen, then the world would be a much better place. I learned that great things– even things that can change the course of our world– can happen if we strive to be our greatest. For these reasons, I hope the message of this book can be absorbed by many.

Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Review by Joanna L

One of the most horrifying and hateful times in human history is the Holocaust. Yet also occurring in the 1940’s is a hidden past not well known to people today: the Soviet Union’s torture over the peoples of the Baltic countries. Few people know about the conquest of Josef Stalin and the Soviet Union during their expansion into neighboring nations. The stories of the agony people suffered in this time have remained silent since the time it happened. Between Shades of Gray is this story, the words which break through the silence of history. Ruta Sepetys reveals a heart-wrenching story of a young girl’s journey through loss, torment, and anguish by the hands of the Soviet Union.

Lina is fifteen years old when the Soviet army forces her family from their home in Lithuania. In the darkness of the cold night, Lina leaves behind her joyous life for a future filled with terror and uncertainty. Lina, along with her younger brother and mother, are forced from cattle cars to labor camps, enduring countless acts of torture threatening their lives each day. Throughout the story, Lina desperately searches for her father, who was sent to a prison camp after helping another family escape the Soviet army. Between Shades of Gray speaks of Lina’s fight for her life and also for her family’s through the only power she still possesses: love.

Few stories truly bring me to tears. Yet numerous passages in Between Shades of Gray filled my eyes with water at the mere thought of what a girl, only one year older than myself, had lived through. Ruta Sepetys crafts a terrifying novel of suppression, that is equally heart-shattering as it is extraordinarily beautiful and uplifting.

Between Shades of Gray is a true masterpiece. It speaks truth: even truth the world does not want to know. I had never known about the historical aspect of the novel upon reading it, but more importantly, never before had I known about true cruelty, evil, and the power in human strength.

Between Shades of Gray is not a story one can forget. This book should be read by people of all ages, of all countries, as a remembrance of the time, but also of how courage, power, and love can outshine even the darkest of horror.

The Reason I Jump

The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida

Book Review by Elizabeth M.

Recently, I read The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida.  Written from the perspective of a thirteen year old boy with severe autism, I found this book eye-opening.  The Reason I Jump is split into sections, each a common misconception or question about autism which Higashida writes about from his perspective.

The Reason I Jump is very informational and interesting.  As I kept reading, I was so intrigued to learn about how Higashida felt and reacted to everyday occurrences.  He talks about the ups and downs of autism, and tells his readers how he deals with it.   His view on life was so optimistic and different from mine, which kept me reading on and on.

I will tell readers however, that this book is much more informational, rather than being a story about a specific time in Higashida’s life, this book simply answers commonly asked questions about autism.  In the beginning of the book, I was waiting for a story to begin about a milestone in his life, but never found it.

Overall, I felt very informed after reading The Reason I Jump.  I learned what autism is really like from someone who has had it for his entire life, which not many books offer.  I would recommend this to anybody who wants to familiarize themselves with autism, whether they have a friend, colleague, family member, or are simply curious about autism.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Perks of Being a Wallflower

Review by Clare D.

The definition of a wallflower is “A type of loner.” They’re seemingly shy folks who no one really knows. They are often some of the most interesting people if one actually talks to them. This is the premise for Stephen Chbosky’s young adult novel. Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Freshman Charlie Kelmeckis’ first year of high school through his struggles with friends, depression, and love.

This story is set up in letters that Charlie sends to an unknown (to the reader) person as a way to get things off of his chest. These letters give detailed accounts of Charlie's struggle after his only friend, Michael, commits suicide. Once the school year starts Charlie befriends his English teacher who sees past his awkward exterior and sees he’s a very intelligent kid underneath. Mr. Anderson tries to push Charlie not only in academics but also to open up to others and become more social. This leads him to go to a football game where he meets his future best friends Sam and Patrick. Throughout the book, Charlie befriends Sam and Patrick's group of misfit friends and self proclaimed wallflowers. They teach him that everyone has struggled and that's what makes people who they are.

I would recommend this book to everyone because no matter who you are there is a relatable character. Chbosky does a fantastic job of creating in-depth characters with their own backstories, features, and quirks. He also does a great job of making it sound like a freshman in high school is writing this book and not an adult. It is a quick read, not only because it just has 224 pages, but also because Chbosky’s detail and compelling storytelling makes you want to keep reading. For an easy read that really makes you think about what makes a person, choose Perks of Being a Wallflower.