Book Reviews

A new Scroll column where writer Ella Hayes posts reviews for books she recently read, and takes suggestions for books to read and review.

Young Adult Book Ratings and Reviews

Coordinated by Ella Hayes

Some of the books and authors that were reviewed this month.

Photo: Ella Hayes - May 2020

Dear Scroll Readers,

Hello! Here at The Scroll, we have decided to introduce a new column this month, called Book Reviews. I’m Ella Hayes, and I will be updating this column with my latest and favorite reads. This month, I have three books and two authors to share with you-- all over a variety of genres, including science fiction, dystopian, mystery, historical fiction, thriller, survival, contemporary, and more. I am always happy to get suggestions for review topics; feel free to write to me with titles of books to read in the suggestion box below.

Thank you, and enjoy reading!

- Ella Hayes; Writer and Reporter

Where I Get My Books

Other than buying physical copies of books at local stores, I also check lots of books out online through the Josephine Community Library.

I use the app Overdrive, and use my local library card to sign in (If you have a library card with the Josephine Community Library, you can do this too!) The online library has thousands of books for you to choose from. It’s also easy to find exactly what you are looking for; using the search engine and filters, you can find books easily by their title, genre or format. You can check out books straight from your phone with the app, and read them on your phone, as well. If you prefer audiobooks, you can also check out audiobooks and listen to them with the app too. If the book you want is unavailable, you can recommend the book or place a hold.

This is a great way to have access to many books for free (if you have a library card)!

Book Reviews

H2O by Virginia Bergin

Title: H2O

Author: Virginia Bergin

Rating: ✰✰✰ (3 stars)

Genre: young adult, science fiction, suspense, thriller

Quote: “Creepy and realistic, H2O left me thirsting for more.” - Kristen Simmons, author of Breaking Point

Review: H20 is a science fiction novel (first in a series) about a world hit by a rainstorm that is fatal to anyone caught in the water. Somehow, the main character Ruby is one of the few people left in the world left alive as the rain sweeps across the world. Suddenly left alone in her world, Ruby goes on a journey to find her biological father, who may or may not be alive. This dystopian novel has an incredible voice and is fast-paced i. One downside that I noticed with this novel is that the main character, Ruby, is not generally likable to readers. However, in a way, this adds to the voice of the story; Ruby is forced into an unfortunate situation, and is still alive by sheer luck. The sequel for this book is called The Storm.

I Am Still Alive by Kate Alice Marshall

Title: I Am Still Alive

Author: Kate Alice Marshall

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ (4 stars)

Genre: young adult, thriller, survival, suspense, realistic fiction

Quote: “This tense wire of a novel thrums with suspense” - The New York Times Book Review

Review: I am Still Alive is a gripping story about a girl left in the brutal Alaskan wilderness with nothing but limited supplies and her father’s hunting dog. After Jess’ dad is killed by mysterious trespassers and his Alaskan cabin is burned to the ground, Jess is left stranded in the woods, with winter approaching quickly. This is a pretty classic survival story, but it is very well-written. It is told in the format of descriptive journal entries (therefore, in first person), and is constantly switching between different timelines. I partially loved this book because it had a strong protagonist. Jess would call herself a “city girl,” but her basic survival skills are put to the ultimate test in this novel. Not only this, but Jess has a disability, which puts more suspense into the story line. I also loved the element of mystery regarding the identity of Jess’ father’s killer, and the revenge plot that is developed over the course of the novel. I recommend this book if you are looking for a fast-paced thriller or survival story.

Harley in the Sky by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Title: Harley in the Sky

Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman

Rating: ✰✰✰✰ (4 ½ stars)

Genre: young adult, realistic fiction

Quote: “This story (is) about identity and finding the place where you belong, while also asserting your independence . . . I hope that it will find its way into the hands of kids who struggle to find themselves in books who also battle with mental health” - The Nerd Daily (Goodreads)

Review: Harley in the Sky is a coming-of-age story about a young girl who wants to pave her own future, away from her parents' limiting plans for her. Harley has grown up with the circus; her parents own a famous circus in Los Vegas, where Harley has been training on the trapeze for years. However, when her parents tell her she can’t pursue her dreams of stardom with the circus, Harley runs away and joins their rival circus, Maison Du Mystère. Soon after leaving her life in Los Vegas, Harley begins to realize that perhaps the betrayal of her family was not worth pursuing her dreams, and that maybe the circus life is not all that it is cracked up to be. Harley struggles between conflicting emotions of the guilt from leaving and the hope that she will become the trapeze artist that she hoped to be. This book was absolutely beautifully told; the characters were vibrant and easily relatable. What I found most impressive about this novel was the protagonist’s character arc: the character development was realistic and appropriate for the story. In addition to this, the element of mental illness and a struggle for a sense of identity made the characters real to readers. If you like coming-of-age realistic fiction, this story is for you.

Author Recommendations

Sarah Dessen

Author: Sarah Dessen

Genre: contemporary fiction, romance

My Favorites: Moon & More; Along For the Ride

Response: I have read many Dessen novels now, and they never fail to hook me from the first chapter. Dessen is a contemporary and realistic fiction novel, and her books are often set in summer or in a small coastal town. (Perfect for a summer read if you ask me!) Two books of hers that I love (and own copies of) are Moon and More and Along for the Ride. One thing that I discovered after reading several of her YA novels (there are thirteen in total!) is that several of her books take place in the same fictional setting of Colby, NC. In fact, you can see that the characters in these books overlap and are seen in all three books, though they are all stand-alone and aren’t read like a series. All of Dessen’s novels set the perfect scene for a fantastic summer.

Ruta Sepetys

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Genre: historical fiction

My Favorites: Salt to the Sea; Between Shades of Grey

Response: Sepetys has been a favorite of mine for a long time. I’ve read two of her novels so far: Between Shades of Gray and Salt to the Sea. In fact, I own both of the books. Her genre is mainly historical fiction, focused within the last century. Her writing voice is beyond this world; the scenes that she writes are full of emotion and imagery. However, her novels are far from light-hearted. She tells stories of struggle and war, but the messages behind them are deeply meaningful. Salt to the Sea is about four teenagers on the Wilhelm Gustloff during WWII. This haunting read shone a light on a WWII tragedy that many people (including me) had never heard about before. Between Shades of Gray, arguably Supetys’ most famous book, is about a young girl’s family who is displaced to a Siberian work camp, and how she uses her art to communicate to her father, whom they were separated from. This is another novel that illustrates a commonly unknown part of WWII. This book has also been made into a movie, called Ashes in the Snow. Though the books are completely stand-alone novels, the two main characters of the books are cousins, a connection that I made after reading Between Shades of Gray. I hope to soon read another one of her books, Out of the Easy. One thing is certain: Sepetys’ novels will stick with you long after you put the book down.

Ashes in the Snow - Movie Trailer

Ashes in the Snow, a war film, was released in early 2019. The movie was based off the Ruta Sepety's book, Between Shades of Grey

My Current Read

Title: Oasis: A Novel

Author: Katya de Becerra

Genres: young adult, thriller, suspense, fantasy

Response: Oasis: A Novel is about the main character, Alif, and how she and her friends get caught in a sandstorm. All hope seems lost, until they discover a mysterious oasis. Though they are thankful to be safe from the storm, as time passes, they begin to wonder whether they were saved or f trapped . . .

I only just checked out this book about two hours ago, so I’m not very far into it yet. I first was interested in this novel because I’ve read another book by this author before: What the Woods Keep. I remembered how much I loved that book; the writing was atmospheric and haunting, and it hooked me until the very end. Knowing how much I loved that book, I decided to try this book of hers, as well. Review and rating should come with the next issue!

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