YA Review Crew

Wonder 

Review By Jordan Lors

grade 8, Clark Middle School

The book I have chosen to review is Wonder by RJ Palacio. I gave this book 5 stars as it is a very interesting read. The book is about 10 year old August Pullman who suffers from Treacher Collins Syndrome. In the book they spread the idea how choosing kind can make everyone better. Some positives from the book are how well they do at simulating what it's like in middle school. Overall, this is a great book that I reccomend to anyone reading.

Can't Hurt Me

Review By Hudson Hsieh

grade 11, Westbury High School

Consensus: A powerful novel written by an extraordinary man about the power of perseverance and grit, Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins contain life changing messages interwoven with a deeply inspiring story.

Over the past decade the self-development industry has seen an unprecedented growth as people strive to: overcome their addiction, live happier lives, make more friends, etc. The incredible growth of the industry stems from the fact that people across all disciplines started to understand the importance of taking care of their mind and working towards becoming the best versions of themselves. As a result of this demand the self development industry, as of 2021, is valued at more than 42 billion dollars. Authors, realizing the opportunity, are quick to cash in on this lucrative industry, leading to a saturation of self development novels within the self development sphere. To sell their novels these authors fill their books with solutions that aim to provide life changing answers immediately and with little work from the reader. However, Can’t Hurt Me, a memoir written by former NAVY SEAL David Goggin differs from the traditional self development novels by using Goggins own life experiences and lessons he learned to provide insight on how to live a better, more fulfilling life.

Can’t Hurt Me tells the story of Goggins told from his first person perspective. As a child, Goggin was born to an abusive father who he escaped from with his mom and grew up in the midwest where he was bullied for being the only African-American family in the neighborhood, and eventually to his early adulthood where he was a fumigator that was overweight and deeply insecure. He also explains the life changing moment when he decided to turn his life around and join the NAVY SEAL, and the lifestyle he adopted in order to lose 108 pounds and prepare for training. He illustrates the frustration of failing training once and having to go through it a second time in order to pass. He provides insight about how he got into ultra-endurance events, and the mindset that he created in order to accomplish the things he did in life. A mindset that was filled with accountability and discipline. Throughout the story Goggin urges the reader to take responsibility for their life and to hold themselves accountable for those responsibilities. Although Goggins shared his story before through interviews and podcasts, Can’t Hurt Me offers the most intimate and cohesive insight into Goggin’s mind and story. What makes this novel standout is David Goggins story, and how through hard work and determination he was able to turn his life around from a scared kid living in poverty facing racism to becoming an elite soldier and athlete. In the book, Goggin isn’t afraid to admit the insecurity he felt as a kid and the effects of the trauma and racism on his life. In order to turn his life around and realize his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL he had to face his fears, push beyond his limits, and embrace pain.

Delirium

Review by  Maja Kruczek 

grade 8, Carle Place Middle/High School

I would, without a doubt give this book a five star rating. I was truly addicted to this book from the start flipping pages like there was no tomorrow. It was more than just a book. It was an incredible story that I wish would never end. I wanted to keep reading even when the book ended. I was felt what the characters were feeling in each and every scene. 

Let me lead you into a glimpse of the book:

a girl that was a rule-follower lived her life, not being able to love. It was never a problem for her that loving was illegal, because she never tried to love. She was scared of the consequences, but of course, when the perfect guy comes along, she couldn’t resist. He took her out of her comfort zone time and time again, but what will happen if they slip up and the government knows they are breaking the law? Will others tries to help them keep their secret or will people rat them out? I promise you delirium will leave you staring at the wall because of the incredible ending, you won’t expect it.

Leap!

Review by Esthefany Portillo

grade 11, Westbury High School

An orphan girl named Felicie dreams to be a dancer, but she does not have many opportunities due to her social status. Instead of letting her situation stop her from accomplishing her dreams, she and her friend Victor go on a journey to Paris. There they plan to make their dreams a reality. As they walk around the city, they meet people that will help them with their goals of becoming a ballerina and an inventor. They come across many struggles in their paths, but at the end their hard-work pays off.  

Something I liked best about this film is that it emphasizes the importance of hard-work. This movie shows how you have to actually work and take chances for your dream to actually become reality. On the other hand, I didn't like how Felicie ignored all the hard-work she had put into getting to the point where she was to later just risk it for a boy. 

I would definitely recommend this movie because I feel like it can just motivate a person to pursue their own goals and dreams in life. The story gives a lot of different emotions which makes it really interesting as well. 

The best age for someone to watch this film is 5 years and older.  

Sisters

Review by Leilani Jean

grade 7, Westbury Middle School

The book I read was “Sisters” by Raina Telgemeier. I rate it a 5/5 because it was funny and relatable. In the book, a girl named Raina was excited to have a baby sister on the way, but it wasn’t how she expected it. Raina and her baby sister, Amara, didn’t get along easily. Until the road trip from San Francisco to Colorado.

One part I found relatable was when Raina went to someone’s house and felt like she needed to be “cool” and wear makeup. I also found the relationship Raina and Amara had relatable. I was sitting on the edge of my seat when Amara and Raina were left in a van. My favorite part was when they finally got Mcdonalds. 

This is a book I would definitely read again.

American Experience: Coney Island

Review by Frank Martens

grade 8, Carle Place

The rise and fall of Coney Island theme parks and the how the world of amusement and entertainment was changed afterwards. The appropriate age for someone to watch this documentary is atleast 13+. The only mature topic talked about in this film was the use of animal cruelty. Many animals used in theme parks were tormented and unwilling towards what humans did to them. This caused the humans to start to kill any animal that was not obedient toward their owner.

The thing I like about this film was the use of detail behind the music and ambience. While watching the documentary, you would hear the ambience of people at a theme park to make you seem like you are actually at where they are showing you in the documentary. For example, when the narrator talks about rides, you may hear the cheerful screams of people riding on those certain rides. However, there were also many reasons why i did not like this documentary. The topic of what the narrator talked about was constantly changing, making the film difficult to understand what is going on.

American Beauty

Review by Hudson Hsieh

grade 11, Westbury High School

Personal consensus: Impeccability written and a stunning debut from director Sam Mendes, American Beauty weaves a talented cast with wicked-smart ideas to create the pinnacle of 90’s cinema.

Rating: R- restricted. Under 17 requires adult supervision 

American Beauty receives the rare distinction of being a movie that film students study when learning how to create a perfect drama. Part of the reason why is because the late 80’s to 90’s were filled with movies that began to transcend the label of being entertainment into an unique art form. From the mastery of Quinten Tarantino Opus Magnum, Pulp Fiction, to the meta- awareness of Scream. Movies during this time began to experiment beyond the simple narrative driven, big set pieces, stories of the 50’s, 60’s, and to some extent, the 70’s. That experimentation is a big reason why the late 80’s and 90’s are my favorite years of cinema history as action movies such as Jason Bourne and Mission Impossible haven't hit the scene yet, and superhero movies were at the time a niche genre. As a result many of the movies that were released were standalone movies that were unique from one another. Big budget movies from major studios still felt like independent movies with their quirky style and storylines that were being told by some of the most celebrated directors of American history. This was also the era where pop-culture became ingrained in the American lifestyle, enabling a sort of meta-analysis of American culture. 

Recommendation: I definitely recommend this movie because it falls into the category of movies that is insightful and thought provoking, but also entertaining. The movie doesn’t try to be groundbreaking with its approach to storytelling, with over the top visuals, unconventional dialogue, forced camera work, or awkward lighting. Instead the movie is able to take a traditional tried and tested formula to movie making, but elevates each aspect to the highest level. The dialogue is smart and efficient, the acting is top notch and natural, the chimotography is beautiful, the lighting is crisp, and the visuals are creative. As a result, American Beauty is able to resonate with a larger audience beyond hardcore film critics and analysts, a feat that many art-house films fail to pull off. 

Wind River

Review by Hudson Hsieh

grade 11, Westbury High School

Consensus: A movie that finishes out Taylor Sheridan’s frontier Trilogy, Wind River tells a deeply moving story with fully formed characters and a taut screenplay that brings light to a pressing issue.

It’s undeniable to say that Taylor Sheridan is currently Hollywood’s forefront writer and director when it comes to neo-western films. The success of his drama Yellowstone and its spinoffs 1923 and 1883 would further cement his place among Hollywood’s brightest filmmakers. The power that lies within Taylor Sheridan filmmaking is his extraordinary ability to capture the spirit of the untamed North American frontier in  every element from the prairie, desert, to tundra. It's that feeling of exploration and ruggedness that attracted and made so many people fall in love with his work. The second part of that power is Sheridan's thoughtful examination of the people who live in these last frontiers of America and the important issues they face. In his final film Wind River, Sheridan documents the injustices that Native Americans face and the struggles they go through in order to survive. 

With Wind River, audiences were able to see Taylor Sheridan's distinct style of filmmaking, patient and dialogue heavy, in full effect. What results is a movie that has a tighter plot with smaller action beats compared to the other movies in the trilogy. By making the plot tight and linear, Taylor Sheridan is able to fully explore the underlying issue of violence and discrimination against Native Ameircans. At its heart, Wind River is a story about imperialism and how the United States forced the Native American population to live in an inhospitable place to be forgotten about. Even after years of abuse, ignorant people still intrude on the Natives land and take advantage of the people living there.

Taylor Sheridan explores this issue of violence against Native Americans through the lens of U.S wildlife officer Cory Lambert played by Jeremy Renner and FBI agent Jane Banner played by Elizabeth Olsen as they investigate the death of a local Native woman. Throughout the movie Taylor Sheridan is able to develop these two characters' motivations, nuances, and relationships with one another. As a result, much of the plot fell on the weight of Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen's ability to convey the anguish and sadness that their characters would have felt. As actors who typically play marvel superheroes in action movies, Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen were able to break out of their action roles and show their ability to convey the emotions that a film like Wind River demanded of them

What makes Wind River such a cinematic achievement is its slow and deliberate storytelling. It’s a drama movie where Taylor Sheridan isn't afraid to take his time to tell the story he intended to tell. The story doesn’t rely on action shots or one liners to fill the story, which allows audiences to focus on the themes and ideas that the movie is trying to convey. What results is a fantastic western drama that holds all its cards towards the end. When the action finally comes through in the end, it’s brutal and visceral. The way it’s shot makes audiences feel the fear and terror that the characters experience. It’s uncomfortable and shocking. However for a western movie, the action is toned down with a greater emphasis on storytelling and character development. That ability to subvert audience's expectation is the ultimate power in Taylor Sheridan’s filmmaking and is what enabled him to create one of Hollywood's best neo-western: Wind River. 

The Outsiders

Review by  Maja Kruczek 

grade 8, Carle Place Middle/High School

I would rate this book a 5/5

This book is about a gang and violence, but still leaves room for a group of boys that will always show love for each other. A gang called the greasers live lives of little value to others and constantly find themselves getting in trouble and being beaten up by the rich gang, called the Socs. They live life as it’s given to them, and their compassion for each other is incredible.

The brotherhood shown from the gang formed by a few boys is beyond belief. The boys have traumatic past that they would have never be able to deal with by themselves. If they didn’t have each other to depend on, their lives would’ve been lost along time ago. The way the gang has to live life being last on the food chain and with a family that couldn’t care less about them, will change the way you look on the world. They have so little hope in the world, but being together, somehow makes their worthless lives a whole lot better. I was touched to see the boys grow up together and love each other with so much hate in their lives. It will let you see how the gang continues their lives when catastrophe hits.

Sisters

Review by Leilani Jean

grade 7, Westbury Middle School

If you're looking for a book that addresses peer pressure, friends and stomach issues, this is a book for you. In “Guts” Raina deals with all three and then some. While dealing with stomach issues that don't seem to go away despite many attempts, she now has to deal with a school bully. She even gets called “a POOPY DIAPER BABY!!” Even though she’s the one getting bullied, she finds herself in trouble.

Raina overall seems to be a cool girl. She does things like Girl Scouts, which I would try. She’s somewhat close to her mom but her mom can’t relate to her all the time. One thing cool about Raina is that she attempts to stand up for herself.

While I wouldn’t read the book again, the ending was wholesome. To think that this book is based on a real story is pretty cool too. I give this book four stars.

Proof Through the Night

Review by Frank Martens

grade 8, Carle Place

The main plot of the film was the life (including his childhood and job) of Francis Scott Key and his experiences during the battle of 1812 that took place during the siege of Fort McHenry. (Also his life experiences after his military service). 

This movie should be rated for a wide variety of audiences or young children. About “ages 8+” should be able to watch this film. There is no violence or gore present, but the narrator does talk about the capturing of many American citizens. Besides, the film also talks about war, meaning that obviously a 5 year old may not be at the mature age to understand what war is. 

Out of all the documentaries that I have seen on the streaming platform (Hoopla), this seems to be one of the best films I have seen. The acting was on point and felt historically accurate, the music felt relevant to the time period, the visuals were outstanding, and the documentary was highly well written. In my personal humble opinions, I believe that this film/documentary is critically underrated and deserves more attention. A good watch, indeed. 

Annihilation

Review by Hudson Hsieh

grade 11, Westbury High School

Consensus: Annihilation, Alex Garland’s bold return into the Sci-fi genre, is elevated by beautiful visuals and a mind-bending story, while serving to be a timely reminder of Earth’s fragility

There is seldom a sci-fi movie that is quite like Annihilation. The antagonist isn’t some alien monster, or killer robots, or a meteor of some kind. Rather in Annihilation, the antagonist presents itself as an eerie, existential threat, that is not immediate, but crushing in its mystique and power. Its deadliness contrasted by its beauty, the speed contrasted by its invincibility. 

It’s a movie that urges the viewer to think about the world and the environment around them. Annihilation isn’t a fast paced action flick, rather it slowly builds a sense of dread by immersing the viewers in the world that the film created. What results is a haunting animal of a movie that stalks the viewer from the lush swamps, to the breezy grasslands, and finally to the unforgiving coastline.

Review: Annihilation is much like other Sci-Fi movies in the way that it’s a very beautiful movie to watch with a large amount of tracking landscape shots. The setting of being in a Florida State park lends to some cinematic shots of the environment. The horror element is masterfully interwoven into the story as it’s built through elevated suspense and dread. The movie takes its time with the story, and rewards the viewer with a dramatic and satisfying ending. It’s a great movie for audiences new to the Sci-Fi/Horror genre and it’s a breath of fresh air for veterans of the genre. 

The Help

Review by Erika Alvarado 

grade 11, Westbury High School

The Help takes place in 1960s Mississippi, where the main character, Skeeter, hopes to become a writer. During this era, people of color were heavily discriminated against and were expected to work under white people. In the film, we can see the lives of the maids, “the help,” as they are referred to. Skeeter chooses to write about the experience and point of view of the help and finds a maid, Aibleen, who agrees to help. While she is unable to get the other maids on board they eventually agree. 

In the film there are scenes of racism, the usage of slurs, cursing, and domestic violence. The film is rated PG-13. I really like the few moments of justice in the film, however, I did not enjoy the racial injustices. That being said, I think it was important to accurately demonstrate that life was not perfect back then. I would definitely recommend this movie, I think more people should be educated on our history. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Review by Hudson Hsieh

grade 11, Westbury High School

Consensus: The Seven Husband of Eveyln Hugo sees Taylor Jenkins Reid’s distinctive style elevated to full-fledged form with well written and well crafted characters, story, and a setting that shows off the golden age of Hollywood

The power of a fiction novel lies in the author's ability to transport readers into the world that they have created. In a fiction novel, readers live through the lens of the characters, their homes become the novel’s setting, and the readers intimately and closely experience the conflicts of the novel. If done correctly, the novel will be able to blur the lines between reality and fiction, making its audience forget about the world around them. What makes Taylor Jenkins Reid's such a special author is her ability to transcend that barrier between reality and fiction. Instantly, as soon as the narration for the novel begins readers are sucked into the world of early Hollywood; the glamor and excess of the filmmakers and those who became icons because of it. It transports readers to a world of palm trees and James Dean. The clean cut Hollywood of the action stars to the classic gothic spanish architecture of southern California. It undercut this with the wildness of the parties and the griminess of the 30’s. Through all of the excitement and world building, Taylor Jenkin Reid also manages to tell a love story that is as fiery and passionate as the period it’s set in. 

At its heart, the novel is about the shiny veneer of Hollywood and the ugliness that hides behind its glossy exterior. As the novel progresses, readers begin to understand the reason that Eveyln had seven husbands was because of the need to stay relevant in Hollywood. Many of the marriages were loveless and for purely business. It shows the pervasive sexism of the industry and how for a woman such as Eveyln to sustain her popularity as she needed to adapt and outmaneuver the people around her. When her only asset is her beauty and exotic uniqueness, she becomes the subject of objectification as her husbands marry her for looks and star power. The novel also explores the idea of popularity as a sort of lightning that can only be captured once with the eternal goal of people in the cinema industry to hold on to that lightning for as long as possible. 

There is something truly special about the writing of Taylor Jenkins Reid. This novel stands as her crowning achievement as it saw her best execution in telling an engaging and compelling story. This novel saw Reid achieve a perfect balance between her descriptive style of writing and a story that enabled her to show off her writing.The fanciful style of the novel enables readers to experience each era of Eveyln life from her abusive upbringing in New York to the luxurious Malibu house when she gets married to the James Dean inspired movie star. There was something magical about that time period within Hollywood where everything felt looser and the stars more glamorous. Taylor Jenkin Reid is able to capture it all, the highs of Eveyln movie career to her lows being stuck in an abusive marriage, divorced, and being taken advantage of. It all manages to come together in beautiful form to create a slick California inspired noir-novel about the west coast’s glitz and glamor.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Review by  Chloe Lee

grade 10

The main plot of the Percy Jackson motion pictures (Rated TV-PG) follows a young boy named Percy Jackson who finds he is a demigod, the child of Poseidon, the Greek god of the ocean. He leaves on an excursion to uncover his actual character and save the world from looming destruction. En route, Percy experiences different legendary animals, fights beasts, and explores the intricacies of the universe of Greek folklore. The films revolve around Percy's journey to forestall a devastating conflict among the gods and to satisfy his fate as a legend.

My favorite parts of the movie, Percy Jackson is that it has a view of the different greek gods and goddess which is interesting because of the hidden meanings behind all of them. My least favorite part was they didn’t use younger characters for the movie instead using actors and actresses in their twenties, making it harder to believe the story to younger audiences

I would recommend this movie because it's entertaining and very interesting to see the characters develop and show their emotions and creativity.

Hoopla Review:

I believe hoopla is a good streaming service. It has a good variety of content for different ages, minds and interests. It is easy to search for a specific topic after getting used to where everything is. I would and wouldn’t recommend hoopla to my friends and family because it is an amazing website for different ages and a variety of different content but it needs a library card which some people don’t have or need access of.