Realistic Fiction
Dear Justyce by Nic Stone:
'Dear Justyce', written by Nic Stone, is a collection of past memories and letters written by Vernell 'Quan' Banks to his childhood friend, Justyce. The accounts of Quan's childhood presented a needed conversation of black youth, and some of the unavoidable injustices they may face in their upbringing. Quan and Justyce came from the same background, the same neighborhood, yet one is sitting in prison, while the other is attending Yale University. Quan recounts stories and memories, trying to figure out why he is where he is, and why Justyce is somewhere completely different. I enjoyed 'Dear Justyce' because of the deeper meaning behind the story telling, although, the end of the book seemed pretty rushed, and the resolution came off as slightly unrealistic. This book, however, is still a story that can be enjoyed and interesting, and can open up conversations that are important for our generation.
'Dear Justyce', written by Nic Stone, is a collection of past memories and letters written by Vernell 'Quan' Banks to his childhood friend, Justyce. The accounts of Quan's childhood presented a needed conversation of black youth, and some of the unavoidable injustices they may face in their upbringing. Quan and Justyce came from the same background, the same neighborhood, yet one is sitting in prison, while the other is attending Yale University. Quan recounts stories and memories, trying to figure out why he is where he is, and why Justyce is somewhere completely different. I enjoyed 'Dear Justyce' because of the deeper meaning behind the story telling, although, the end of the book seemed pretty rushed, and the resolution came off as slightly unrealistic. This book, however, is still a story that can be enjoyed and interesting, and can open up conversations that are important for our generation.
Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton:
Neanderthal opens the door to the Universe- a tale of a highschool giant finding his place in the world. He is bullied despite his size and he finds friends in unlikely places. He eventually finds happiness when he comes to terms with his trauma and is now in zen.
Neanderthal opens the door to the Universe- a tale of a highschool giant finding his place in the world. He is bullied despite his size and he finds friends in unlikely places. He eventually finds happiness when he comes to terms with his trauma and is now in zen.
Thicker Than Water by Kelly Fiore:
The book, "Thicker than Water'' by Kelly Fiore is a tale that will tug on your heartstrings. A girl named Cece always looked up to her brother, Cyrus, until disaster struck. He suffered an injury from soccer which ended up with him addicted to Oxy's. One horrible day ended up with Cyrus dead and Cece in jail. But did she kill her brother? This book is very inciting and shows you the mind of a trauma filled teen girl. I would definitely recommend it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The book, "Thicker than Water'' by Kelly Fiore is a tale that will tug on your heartstrings. A girl named Cece always looked up to her brother, Cyrus, until disaster struck. He suffered an injury from soccer which ended up with him addicted to Oxy's. One horrible day ended up with Cyrus dead and Cece in jail. But did she kill her brother? This book is very inciting and shows you the mind of a trauma filled teen girl. I would definitely recommend it and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Pushing Perfect by Michelle Falkoff:
“Pushing Perfect” by Michelle Falkoff is the interesting story of a teen girl,Kara, who excels in academics, but has too much anxiety to complete her SAT. The first time she tried taking it, she failed. She is known as “Perfect” Kara even though she does not feel that way. After losing her friends freshman year, she became a loner. But, she eventually became friends with a confident girl who helps her step out of her shell. She is taken to a party where she buys a pill for her anxiety so she can actually pass her SAT. But, one night she gets a text from a blackmailer with a picture of her buying the pill. Will she let herself be blackmailed to keep her perfect image? I very much enjoyed this book and the mystery aspect of it. I would recommend it.
“Pushing Perfect” by Michelle Falkoff is the interesting story of a teen girl,Kara, who excels in academics, but has too much anxiety to complete her SAT. The first time she tried taking it, she failed. She is known as “Perfect” Kara even though she does not feel that way. After losing her friends freshman year, she became a loner. But, she eventually became friends with a confident girl who helps her step out of her shell. She is taken to a party where she buys a pill for her anxiety so she can actually pass her SAT. But, one night she gets a text from a blackmailer with a picture of her buying the pill. Will she let herself be blackmailed to keep her perfect image? I very much enjoyed this book and the mystery aspect of it. I would recommend it.
True Letters from a Fictional Life by Kenneth Logan:
“True Letters from a Fictional Life” by Kenneth Logan is about a tennager named James Lidell who struggles with his sexuality. He has always had the feeling that he was not “normal”. He was a star-athlete and semi-boyfriend to Theresa. But his relationship with her was just him trying to force himself to be straight. He has trouble speaking his true feelings, so he writes them instead. Since middle school, he had been writing letters to people to spill his truths, but he never sent them. His letters are his safe space, but will he continue living in his fictional world, or finaling come out with the truth? I loved this book because it shows insight to troubles a lot of teens go through. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
“True Letters from a Fictional Life” by Kenneth Logan is about a tennager named James Lidell who struggles with his sexuality. He has always had the feeling that he was not “normal”. He was a star-athlete and semi-boyfriend to Theresa. But his relationship with her was just him trying to force himself to be straight. He has trouble speaking his true feelings, so he writes them instead. Since middle school, he had been writing letters to people to spill his truths, but he never sent them. His letters are his safe space, but will he continue living in his fictional world, or finaling come out with the truth? I loved this book because it shows insight to troubles a lot of teens go through. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney:
“The Mockingbirds” written by Daisy Whitney is an insightful book that shows the mind of a teenage girl, Alex, that went through something horrible. Alex is a star piano player and attends Themis Academy, a place where the administration thinks the students are perfect. So, the students take justice into their own hands with the Mockingbirds Society; giving justice to students who need it. When Alex gets date raped and wants to stick up for herself; she can either go to them, or stay silent. What will she choose to do? This book is extremely amazing and really showed what some women and girls go through. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a personalized book where we see in the character’s mind.
“The Mockingbirds” written by Daisy Whitney is an insightful book that shows the mind of a teenage girl, Alex, that went through something horrible. Alex is a star piano player and attends Themis Academy, a place where the administration thinks the students are perfect. So, the students take justice into their own hands with the Mockingbirds Society; giving justice to students who need it. When Alex gets date raped and wants to stick up for herself; she can either go to them, or stay silent. What will she choose to do? This book is extremely amazing and really showed what some women and girls go through. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a personalized book where we see in the character’s mind.
Enter Title Here by Rahul Kanakia:
“Enter Title Here” by Rahul Kanakia is unlike any book I have ever read. Reshma is a senior at the top school in the Silicon Valley. She will do anything to get what she wants, anything. Which includes suing her school twice so she will remain valedictorian. She is the antihero of the book, who has their sights set on going to Stanford. The weird part of the book is that everyone hates Resham, including the reader. It is clear that she is not a good person and is only in it for herself. She decided to write a novel to help her become successful. The whole point of the novel is to expand herself. She made a list and had to complete by the end of the writing period. But will she complete it and become a better person along the way? I would recommend this book because there are not many like it. It really expanded my horizon of books I have read.
“Enter Title Here” by Rahul Kanakia is unlike any book I have ever read. Reshma is a senior at the top school in the Silicon Valley. She will do anything to get what she wants, anything. Which includes suing her school twice so she will remain valedictorian. She is the antihero of the book, who has their sights set on going to Stanford. The weird part of the book is that everyone hates Resham, including the reader. It is clear that she is not a good person and is only in it for herself. She decided to write a novel to help her become successful. The whole point of the novel is to expand herself. She made a list and had to complete by the end of the writing period. But will she complete it and become a better person along the way? I would recommend this book because there are not many like it. It really expanded my horizon of books I have read.
The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden:
This book starts out with Zoey having a handful of responsibilities, like school and taking care of her siblings. They live in a clean trailer which belongs to her mother's boyfriend; Lenny. One of Zoey's teachers heavily persuades Zoey to join the debate club, even though she'd rather just fly under the radar. Zoey learns to speak up for what she believes in the book. This book dealt with lots of abuse and poverty. I enjoy the self growth she goes through and the way she deals with her own issues along with that. The debate club decision was a nice touch to the story. Overall I really enjoyed it, 10/10
This book starts out with Zoey having a handful of responsibilities, like school and taking care of her siblings. They live in a clean trailer which belongs to her mother's boyfriend; Lenny. One of Zoey's teachers heavily persuades Zoey to join the debate club, even though she'd rather just fly under the radar. Zoey learns to speak up for what she believes in the book. This book dealt with lots of abuse and poverty. I enjoy the self growth she goes through and the way she deals with her own issues along with that. The debate club decision was a nice touch to the story. Overall I really enjoyed it, 10/10
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe:
I really enjoyed this book even though it was a little mature. The snarky comments kept me laughing through the pages and the love plot lines kept me on my toes. 9.99999999/10.
I really enjoyed this book even though it was a little mature. The snarky comments kept me laughing through the pages and the love plot lines kept me on my toes. 9.99999999/10.
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis:
"Heroine" is about a Senior girl in High School, Mickey Catalan, who gets into a car wreck with her best friend Carolina and suffers severe trauma. Mickey's leg gets torn out of socket and Carolina's arm is injured. While trauma is horrible for anyone this story highlights it in an ever bolder light due to the fact that these two best friends play softball together, not only play but are known state wide and have scholarships coming their way for D1 to D3 universities. Carolina being the pitcher and Mickey being the catcher along with the rest of the starters for their softball team have been playing together since diapers. Mickey struggles with the pain of her trauma and begins to rely on the small dosage of Oxy that she was prescribed for her pain to not only go through everyday life but to push herself past her limits. "Heroine" is the story of how Mickey Catalan falls into addiction, falls away from her friends, family and team and creates a different side to her life surrounding addiction. Mickey's family is broken. She was originally adopted by her mother and father, later on her father divorced her mother and got a new wife. The divorce was mostly because Mickey's adopted mother was infertile. Overall an amazing book and there is so much more I could say. 5 out of 5 stars, would definitely read again.
"Heroine" is about a Senior girl in High School, Mickey Catalan, who gets into a car wreck with her best friend Carolina and suffers severe trauma. Mickey's leg gets torn out of socket and Carolina's arm is injured. While trauma is horrible for anyone this story highlights it in an ever bolder light due to the fact that these two best friends play softball together, not only play but are known state wide and have scholarships coming their way for D1 to D3 universities. Carolina being the pitcher and Mickey being the catcher along with the rest of the starters for their softball team have been playing together since diapers. Mickey struggles with the pain of her trauma and begins to rely on the small dosage of Oxy that she was prescribed for her pain to not only go through everyday life but to push herself past her limits. "Heroine" is the story of how Mickey Catalan falls into addiction, falls away from her friends, family and team and creates a different side to her life surrounding addiction. Mickey's family is broken. She was originally adopted by her mother and father, later on her father divorced her mother and got a new wife. The divorce was mostly because Mickey's adopted mother was infertile. Overall an amazing book and there is so much more I could say. 5 out of 5 stars, would definitely read again.
What I Carry by Jennifer Longo
Summary: Muri has been in foster care her entire life. She has one year left before she ages out. Muir has been looking forward to ageing out for years, she has been acting perfect drawing on special attention to herself. Muir is named after John Murial and he was very into the woods and has a few books. She never let herself be attached to the people. Anytime she would be getting any attachment she would ask Jolene (social worker) to move houses. Muri also would carry some stuff from houses that would be very very sentimental. Muri moves to an inland and she moves in with a lady named Francine who has been a foster parent but she said that Muir will be her last foster child. Muri meets Kira at the coffee shop but then again at a back to school event. When Muri goes to the coffee shop, she takes a paper for an internship at a hiking place called Salishwood. At Salishwood she meets Sean and they have an instant connection. Muri starts high school and she actually has friends. Muir is living life and she is surprised that for once she was letting herself settle. These 2 girls are extremely mean to kira. One day they repainted the mural she was working on and Muri finally convinced her to tell the principal the principal did not believe them. Francis was called and she stood up for Muir because the principal was saying rude things to Muri. Everyone wanted Muri to stay and go to college but she just wanted to be free. Muir finally lets herself live a little. She meets Sean's mom and goes to parties. Near graduation Francis offers to adopt Muri and she is in total shock. Muri is at first mad at this offer but then she accepts it. Muri lives her life out happy and she finally has a home.
Review: This book took me a while to get into but once I sat down and read it. I could not put it down. I loved how the book showed the depth that being in the foster care system can take on kids. It had amazing character development.
I would recommend this book for anyone who like realistic fiction and some teenage drama
Summary: Muri has been in foster care her entire life. She has one year left before she ages out. Muir has been looking forward to ageing out for years, she has been acting perfect drawing on special attention to herself. Muir is named after John Murial and he was very into the woods and has a few books. She never let herself be attached to the people. Anytime she would be getting any attachment she would ask Jolene (social worker) to move houses. Muri also would carry some stuff from houses that would be very very sentimental. Muri moves to an inland and she moves in with a lady named Francine who has been a foster parent but she said that Muir will be her last foster child. Muri meets Kira at the coffee shop but then again at a back to school event. When Muri goes to the coffee shop, she takes a paper for an internship at a hiking place called Salishwood. At Salishwood she meets Sean and they have an instant connection. Muri starts high school and she actually has friends. Muir is living life and she is surprised that for once she was letting herself settle. These 2 girls are extremely mean to kira. One day they repainted the mural she was working on and Muri finally convinced her to tell the principal the principal did not believe them. Francis was called and she stood up for Muir because the principal was saying rude things to Muri. Everyone wanted Muri to stay and go to college but she just wanted to be free. Muir finally lets herself live a little. She meets Sean's mom and goes to parties. Near graduation Francis offers to adopt Muri and she is in total shock. Muri is at first mad at this offer but then she accepts it. Muri lives her life out happy and she finally has a home.
Review: This book took me a while to get into but once I sat down and read it. I could not put it down. I loved how the book showed the depth that being in the foster care system can take on kids. It had amazing character development.
I would recommend this book for anyone who like realistic fiction and some teenage drama