MHS Book Reviews

Five Total Strangers by Natalie Richards 

The book Five Total Strangers will keep you guessing until the very end. If you like suspense and thrillers, you’ll like this book. 

Author Natalie Richards proves why it’s never a good idea to get into a car with people you don’t know! Add a blinding snowstorm on top of that, and you’ve gotten on a ride that careens through theft, family drama, violent attacks, and surprising twists and turns.

I can’t say this book made me feel good about people, but it did keep my interest to see how the mystery would play out. 

From the very beginning of the trip, you realize Mira is not safe. You yearn for her to get home to her mother on Christmas Eve. And you remember why you always pack an extra phone charger with you! 

This book was part of The Big Library Read sponsored by Sora, our ebook app. If you haven’t tried reading a book on Sora, I encourage you to! So many titles are at your fingertips. See the home MHS Library page for more details about accessing books on Sora.

-Ms. LaBelle

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas 

A stunning novel that represents and focuses on the problems of modern day society. An amazing character development of Starr Carter as well, as she courageously fights against police brutality. This powerful story will take you through an emotional and astonishing journey through what justice really means and how it is crucial to stand up for what is right.

-Anonymous

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villauicencio 

I read the book: The Undocumented Americans. This book was written by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio. I was intrigued by this book, mainly, because of the title. The Undocumented Americans. I’ve never heard a title that made me truly connect to it in a deep way. I also liked the cover, it has a red rose, permanent residence applications, and blood, it’s not graphic. The book talks about the many struggles the Hispanic community goes through. I use Hispanic and not Latinx because Hispanics are those who were born in Spanish-speaking countries and immigrated to another country. Latinx’s are those who were born from Hispanics in none-Spanish-speaking countries. This book helps the reader get a deeper perspective of how undocumented immigrants live, feel, and survive in a country where they are discriminated against. There may be controversial topics that are spoken in this book, to some people, about how undocumented immigrants are treated, hurt, discriminated against, treated with indifference, etc, but as a Latina, I know that these are very much true. I appreciate the author for writing this book because I never read a book, where I could relate to so much. I am a Christain, and although the author is not and writes about some things I don’t believe in, like how John and Jesus had a romantic relationship; which in my beliefs, Jesus did not do that, or have any relationship at all because he is holy, the overall message, about discrimation, that she is trying to convey is very important for people to not only know, but understand. I hope that anyone that is reading this review goes and checks this book out in the school library because it is a great book.

- Amy M, Grade 12

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

This book is very hard to describe but it is a story of second chances, hope, and love. In this book, many peoples' paths intertwine in good times and bad. It all starts with an “idiot” bank robber and an accidental hostage situation. It ends with a full circle, all the hostages becoming a tangled, messed up family. This book was a 5-star read and I highly recommend it! 

-Anonymous