Reviewed by S.M. Grade 10

Scythe by Neal Shusterman is an exciting and creative book set in a future where nobody dies naturally, so special people called Scythes must “glean” others to control the population. The story is about two teens, Citra and Rowan, who are chosen to train as Scythes and compete for the position. Along the way, they find secrets about how the Scythedom really works and have to make the right choices about what is right and wrong. The book is full of action, surprises, and power. It’s a fun and intense book to read that will keep you reading. 

Reviewed by S.M. Grade 10

The Girl Who Smiled Beads is a powerful and moving story by Clemantine Wamariya about her life as a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. When she was six years old, Clemantine and her older sister, Claire, had to run from their home and spent years as refugees, traveling through seven African countries and facing incredible disadvantages. The book goes back and forth between her childhood and her life in the United States. It talks about ideas like survival, hope, and how war changes people. Clemantine shares her story with a lot of honesty and emotion, helping the reader see what it’s like to live through something that is painful but still find strength to move forward. 

Reviewed by S.M. Grade 10

Of Mice and Men is the tale of George Milton and Lennie Small, who are migrant workers struggling through the Great Depression. George is small and intelligent, while Lennie is big, powerful, and has a mental disability. Both of them want a little piece of land where they can live by themselves, but their life is filled with things stopping them. They find work on a ranch, where they meet characters like Candy, Curley, and Curley's wife, and start to form tension between them. And though they have each other, Lennie's mistakes ultimately create a very sad ending. The book shows themes of friendship and conflict. Overall, this book is a great, short story that everyone should read.

Reviewed by D.F. Grade 12

Lord of the Flies is a classic novel about survival, civilization, and its eventual collapse. This is an incredibly dark tale set against the tropic background of an unknown island in the middle of a war. Exploring the different factions that naturally arise as a group of kids try to establish civilization without the oversight of adults, Lord of the Flies is entertaining while also being deeply moving. Through the attempts of a few children to uphold order in a foreign land, Golding masterfully devises a story about humanity. Although written for young adults, scenes of brutality throughout the book make a lasting impression on the reader. Lord of the Flies is profound, deeply unsettling, but digestible for its intended audience. 

Reviewed by G.A. Grade 11

The book All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is a fantastic read. The book opens with a high school student, Violet wanting to end her life. A boy in her class, Finch, stops her and they, 2 people who would’ve never crossed paths otherwise, became close. The story follows the two’s journey traveling throughout their state doing a project together for school. They work through trauma and mental illness and find love and their story is beautiful to read unfold. Niven’s writing will have you attached to this book, you’ll be able to get through it in one sitting. If you’ve seen the movie, I highly recommend reading this novel as well. 

Reviewed by K.O. Grade 8

"Scar Island" by Dan Gemeinhart is an exciting adventure that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. Taking place on an isolated island, the book tells about Jonathan Grisby, a troubled boy sent to the harsh Slabhenge Reformatory School after a terrible accident. As Jonathan navigates the island's dangers and dark secrets, he forms unexpected friendships and discovers his own strength. The author’s vivid descriptions and compelling characters make for a captivating read, exploring themes of redemption, courage, and the power of friendship. With its fast-paced plot and memorable twists, "Scar Island" is sure to leave readers eagerly turning pages until the very end.