Book Reviews
Get lost in book reviews written by McCaffrey's very own students
Book Reviews By Individual
Amelia Hughes reviews Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Jerry Spinelli has written a changing story, Stargirl, centered around the struggles of popularity and being different. This title comes from the description of this out of the ordinary character, a star person, by one of the people she holds dearest. This novel, similar to any other story dealing with popularity and being different, explores the life of one extraordinariness and the struggles she deals with socially and mentally. Right from the start it is apparent that this story is unusual, just like Stargirl.
Taite Innes reviews Blink by Malcom Gladwell
Malcolm Gladwell, an author of five New York Times Best Seller books, one of which is titled “Blink.” To all readers who have set the book down after reading all 320 pages “Blink” is a title that resonates an important meaning, “There can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.” (Gladwell, 56) This incredibly intriguing book combines both topics of sociology and phycology, subjects in which are both extremely complex. Gladwell waters down these topics just enough so that all readers can easily digest this nonfiction book.
Sriya Peddinti reviews Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Tahereh Mafi’s dystopian fantasy Shatter Me is about a girl whose touch is fatal. Shatter Me refers to Juliette’s touch that can kill, and its effects on her. Her “disease” changed the course of her life and how people treated and viewed her. Shatter Me is a reference to the hatred she received from friends and family for something she could not control. This novel is similar to Divergent and The Hunger Games with its action-packed pages and post apocalyptic universe.
Zach Schwartz reviews Ready Player One
Ernest Cline has created a masterpiece of 80s pop culture and sci-fi in his novel, Ready Player One. Since the book does involve a lot of video game references, people might assume that is why it is called “Ready Player One”. While this may be true, I believe that actual reason is a bit different. On the coin-operated arcade machines that dominated the 80s, whenever you started a game, most of the machines said “Ready, player one”, or something similar. Cline himself has said that he likes how that kind of means that you, the player, is now entering a new world, similar to the OASIS in the story. Along with being sci-fi, Ready Player One is also a dystopia, but not like most dystopian novels. In this, we get a time only about a decade into the future, with problems that could very well be reality in a few years.
Tatum Behrens reviews Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Nicola Yoon has written a memorable novel based on a girl named Maddie, who is willing to die just to feel alive for one day, with someone she loves. The title of the novel, “Everything, Everything” refers to how Maddie desires to experience absolutely everything that she has missed for the past 18 years, in just one breathtaking day. Everything, Everything is a realistic fiction novel; however, it differs from others because it incorporates romance and drama as well as a spirit of adventure.
Pamir Canan reviews The Invention of Hugo Cabret
A true masterpiece narrative of The Invention of Hugo Cabret is brought by Brian Selznick. This novel dates back to 2007, but it is still a memorable piece to read. The title of the book refers to an invention Hugo Cabret, the main character of this incredible novel, has made. The plot takes place in Paris, France after the horrific World War I. Hugo Cabret is a twelve-year-old orphan who lives in a train station around the turn of 20th century. Hugo depends on stealing and the clocks that his dad has left him before he passed away until he meets someone very special that is about to change his entire lifetime. The Invention of Hugo Cabret, as it can be hinted just from looking at the book, belongs to the genre of historical fiction.
Danny Doran reviews Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds
The novel Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a memorable story about a young boy, a dog, and an unbreakable friendship. The title of this novel refers directly to the dog in the story as his name is Shiloh. Shiloh is a dog that brings up a lot of conflict, and responsibility for Marty, the young boy, and is the revolving piece of the story. Shiloh is a children's fictional novel, and unlike many other books in its genre, it is very telling with many life and moral lessons on each page.
Vishnu Duriseti reviews The son of Neptune
Rick Riordan has a legacy of great books with mythical backgrounds, but the series “Heroes of Olympus” is by far one of the most well known series of his along with the “Percy Jackson” series. In this book, “The son of Neptune,” we get the same ol’ main character, Percy Jackson along with 2 other misfits named Hazel & Frank. The book plays with a writing style that takes some getting used to, but is a great way to tell the story in multiple perspectives.
Dylan Evershed reviews The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a solid work of literature that has been placed as a classic which it deserves fully. The Giver had that title chosen because, well the main character is training to become The Giver, which is one of the highest members in their society. The Giver was a revolutionary book for the Sci-Fi/dystopian genre. The book if you wanted to you could compare it to recent popular works like The Hunger Games or more popular books from the same genre, as The Giver was one of the pioneers in the genre.
Gavin Fusco reviews Freakonomics
Dr. Steven D. Levitt is not your typical economist. With the help of Stephen J. Dubner, an award-winning author and journalist, they piece together a book with outrageous claims such as what Ku Klux Klan members have in common with real-estate agents. To properly do this, Levitt and Dubner invent their own field of study: Freakonomics. The title is appropriately named this due to Levitt and Dubner’s freakish claims that are made throughout the text. However, their various curiosities show that the book revolves around a theme of incentives.
Declan Healy Reviews Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The king of scientific fiction novels has got to be Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. By first glance, you would think that the title would just be referring to video games and what they say before entering the game. I think there is another meaning to the title, for I think that the meaning of the title is that ‘Player One’ needs to be ready for all of the challenges that face him. I think that a book that is related to Ready Player One has got to be Ender's Game by Orson Scott because they are both based on technology.
J.T Heffernan reviews The Raft by S.A Bodeen
The text that is rightfully known as The Raft, is a surprisingly good text and underrated by the world. The name even means something deep, the name of the text can be split into two different words “The” and “Raft.” The name of the text is good for this story because it is showing where the books setting is going to be, on a raft. But the name also goes much deeper than just that. The raft is used as a symbol throughout the book, hope. For example when the raft starts to deflate and the characters have to go out of the boat just to keep them afloat made her feel hopeless and alone. While when she saved the raft she felt hopeful and have the will to move on. But this story’s greatness is not only in the name but also throughout the text.
Eric Jonan reviews The Martian
The Martian by Andy Weir is a science fiction novel about a man stranded on Mars. The main character, Mark Watney, is abandoned by his shuttle crew on the red planet. I believe the author chose the name “the martian” as the novel is on Mars almost the entire time, with only a few scenes at NASA headquarters, and the space agency in China. Mark is also the only human to ever attempt to live on the red planet, all other expeditions came and left, therefore making him the one and only Martian.
Jack Lynch reviews
S.E. Hinton has written a very moving story, following the lives of three brothers. This story, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton brings us through the lives of three brothers who live together after their parents were killed in a car accident. I believe that the Hinton chose this title because the three boys really considered themselves as “outsiders” because their parents are dead. S.E. really wants to make people not feel different if one or both of your parents are dead and you can get over that. The genre of this book is young adult fiction, this generally appeals to the younger audience because the main characters are teens.
Ashley Merkle reviews Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
Ads about texting and driving are everywhere today. Texting kills, it’s the same as drinking and driving, etc. In the novel Goodbye Days, Jeff Zentner capitalizes on how texting and driving is such a prevalent topic today, and how even the most precocious people can be affected by it. In this novel Carver Briggs, a senior at Nashville Academy for the Arts, finds himself starting the year off with no friends and a possible murder conviction.
Blaze Ricco reviews Brunette Ambition By: Lea Michele
Lea Michele opens up about her life and career in Brunette Ambition. She defines the book by showing a resemblance of herself in the title. Brunette Ambition shows Lea’s strong desire to accomplish her goals, hence the word “ambition”. Michele writes a part memoir and part how-to. This autobiography goes in depth about her Spring Awakening days, filming Glee, and recording her albums. Readers of Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham would enjoy what Lea has to say in her book.
Amir Sabovic reviews A Dogs life By: Ann M. Martin
“A Dog's Life” by Ann M. Martin is a very interesting novel about a stray family of dogs that live in an old shed behind a families house. The author must have chosen to name the book, “A Dog's Life” because it is truly what the book is about and it tells readers why they should read this book and what is going to come up in the next scenes. Some may think that the title is talking about a dog's life that most people see every day instead of a stray dog's life, but in this case, the title of the book shows that the novel will talk about the challenges that the dogs face and if they end up surviving as a stray dog. The genre of this book is action and adventure and this is resembled by the amount of action that will keep you engaged through the whole entire novel. I would compare this book to “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen because Hatchet is another book that that is very engaging and it is also an action and adventure genre.
Daniella Sallese One of Us is Lying Reviews
Karen M. McManus, wrote a thrilling novel, One of Us Is Lying, for those looking for an excellent murder mystery. The title foreshadows the plot of the novel, and carries on the topic and genre of the text. The title also adds suspense that intrigues many to open the cover and read more. Much like Murder on the Orient Express written by Agatha Christie, One of Us Is Lying is an emotional and suspenseful text that the reader just can’t put down. When comparing both texts, they each have their long lists of suspects, and track down the murderer throughout the novel. Both have a super complicated plot, that make reading a long text enjoyable.
LIPS TOUCH: THREE TIMES. Review by Kennedy Thomas
“Lips Touch: Three Times”, is a collection of short stories written by Laini Taylor, author of the, “Daughter of Smoke and Bone”, franchise. The book is named as such because, quite literally, lips do indeed touch 3 times throughout the book, and the overarching narrative is all about love. The book consists of 3 fictional stories, each focusing on a supernatural romance, but all these romances hold a curse within them, and a curse of consequences too. One romance is about needs, wants, and desires, another is about sacrifice, and the lives of others at a stake, and the last relationship is about the memories of a romance, and the reuniting of two lovers.
Sydney Kelso reviews
The action-packed, dystopian sci-fi novel by Marissa Meyer that is Scarlet is the second installment in the Lunar Chronicles for young adults. The sequel of dark fairytale-twist Cinder, a new main character’s storyline is explored. The premises of Scarlet is intentionally made rather similar to that of a popular fairytale, hence the name of the book itself being an allusion to the Grimms’ own Little Riding Hood. One might assume that since these original fairy tales take place in their separate worlds with no crossing over, the same would also be the case in Meyer’s series. However, not only are the adventures of the previous protagonist continued in this novel, the story of Scarlet herself is explored, and the paths of the two eventually cross in a rather seamless manner.
Robbie Ballentine reviews Gone By: Micheal Grant
Michael Grant wrote a thrilling story, Gone, keeping you on the edge of your seat the whole time not knowing what twists and turns were coming ahead. The title of the book is quite literally referring to the main event of the book where all the adults and kids over 15 disappear and whenever someone’s 15th comes around they “poof”. The title also suggests in a deeper level that the kids who have not disappeared are “Gone” from reality, and in a possible alternate universe though we are never certain. Gone is science fiction, thriller making it really enjoyable for the reader. In Gone with all the main characters around the age of 14, it makes it really relatable to teens. This book also compares very similarly to Lord of the Flies where kids are stuck by themselves having to take care of themselves without any adult supervision.
Nevin Belanger reviews City of Ember by: Jeanne DuPrau
Lauren Beneventano reviews The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
Liv Constantine has written a wicked psychological mystery thriller about a girl named Amber, in the book The Last Mrs. Parrish. I believe that Liv Constantine named her book “The Last Mrs. Parrish” due to the fact that in the book, Amber researches about The Parrish family. She does everything she can to embed herself into their lives, and when she succeeds she becomes the last Mrs. Parrish. This book is like and then there were none by Agatha Christie and The Shining by Stephen King.
Ellie Coffey reviews NERVE by Jeanne Ryan
Jeanne Ryan wrote a fiction, young adult novel about, goody two shoes Venus, also known as Vee. This book is called NERVE, the title only begins to clue the readers in on just how thrilling this book really is. This isn’t your typical teen novel, this book goes outside of the box and presents new ideas to younger readers. In this book people put their lives on the line to play a stupid game that gives you money every time you complete a dangerous dare. However, there are also watchers to this game that watch the players do their dares. They are the ultimate source of money for the players because if they want to watch, they have to pay. This book is similar to the movie, Truth or Dare, most of it being similar in the sense that they are basically playing the same game. However, in NERVE, the version of this game is far more advanced in technology and has a deeper background to it. NERVE appeals to teens because it is about teenagers making stupid decisions and also has the overarching issue of peer pressure tied into it.
Teddy Davies reviews Blood Sweat and Pixels by Jason Schreier
Jason Schreier’s nonfiction book Blood Sweat and Pixels, The Triumphant, Turbulent Stories Behind How Video Games Are Made tells the stories of the development of 10 different video games, most of which are within the last decade. The name Blood Sweat and Pixels is a play on Blood Sweat and Tears, suggesting that video game production is very labor intensive and emotionally draining work. This was unlike any other book I’ve ever read.
Luke Eberhart reviews Tunnels by Brian Williams and Roderick Gordon
Will Burrow is your typical 14 year old kid who lives in England despite for his small stature. Will’s relationship to his family is very wonky. He does not get along with anyone in his family except his dad due to the fact that they both enjoy digging holes in their free time. While this may seem like a weird thing to base a friendship off of, it is the only thing that he has going for him in terms of fitting in with his family, so he doesn't have much of a choice. His family was very out of the ordinary and none of them really seemed to get along with each other. Throughout this novel, they idea that not a single family members likes another plays a big role in the outcome and pretty much decides the fate of Will and his “family”.
Owen English reviews The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Zarius Eusebe reviews Solo by Kwame Alexander
It’s tough to live up to your parent’s shadow, especially so when your own life has taken a tumultuous turn. Living under the shadow of his former rock star father, Blade copes through his father’s drug addiction and his mother’s passing through music. After an unexpected revelation, however, he sets out on a journey of self-discovery in Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess’s brilliant new novel. Told through poems, text messages and other tidbits, this work of verse fiction tackles a question we all have posed at one point or another in our lives: what constitutes our own self?
Shivansh Khandelwal reviews The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams has written a funny, exciting, and thrilling story about two friends exploring the vast universe while being pursued by the the Galactic Empire in his book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The title of the novel relates to Arthur and Ford’s experience of hitchhiking to a spaceship in a Vogon Constructor Fleet and the Heart of Gold since Earth blew up. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a classic sci-fi fantasy book, and like Dune and others in its genre, has interactions with other alien life forms across the universe, but differs from so many because it relates to the whole universe rather than a galaxy.
Jacob Katz reviews Maus II by Art Spiegelman
Art Spiegelman has written an unforgettable story about the life of his father, Vladek Spiegelman, who had endured the pains of the Holocaust, in his book Maus II. The title of the graphic novel suggests that the life of a Jewish man at the time was like a game of Cat and Mouse. By using this personification, where humans characteristics were given to animals that existed inside the story. Spiegelman also conveyed the ideas beyond the literal interpretation by making the mice being caught by the cats. The title also infers the need for protection of such a frail mind such as a mouse who is lost in a mouse trap. Maus II is a historically graphic novel, and like others in that genre, tracks the time period’s problems and external and internal conflicts.
Alexa Mejia reviews Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner
The book Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner starts off with a random discussion of murder and it sets the mood for the reader to think that they're entering a crime scene. This novel shows a moment of loss of three people and their families grievances towards the loss of their family member. Zentner started the reader off with a big moment to engage them and make sure they’d want to keep reading. Zentner titled the book Goodbye Days because of the possibility of Carver Briggs’ senior year being a normal one was very slim because of the slight possibility that he could have been the murderer of his three best friends.
Julian Pojano reviews Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Jonathan Livingston Seagull is a fairly short story by Richard Bach. The name of the story does not mean much because it is just the name of the protagonist. The book has pictures in it, but it is not really a picture book. Every 10 pages or so there will be a break in the story and a couple of photographs. The book feels as though it was made for kids even though the vocabulary is fairly diverse. There is an obvious message throughout the book which any kid or adult could probably understand. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes the Alchemist because it has a similar mysterious vibe and kind of feels like a drug trip.
Luke Barbieri reviews Department 19 Battle Lines By: Will Hill
Will Hill, creates another modern masterpiece that will stand the testomit of time. In Battle Lines, the third book in the Department 19 series there is everything a reader needs and wants. It can fall under many genres, such as Horror,Action, Drama, Adventure,Mystery and at times possibly Romance. But don’t worry there's plenty of blood, gore, suspense, action, drama, and mysteries. This capturing books circles around the main characters in a modern day secret government organization called “Black Light”, their mission kill vampires, protect the public, stop Dracula from rising.
Allie Giller reviews Royals by Rachel Hawkins
Rachel Hawkins words could make any girl swoon in her romance novel, Royals. The title of the book refers to the main character, Daisy Winter’s, new family. Daisy’s sister, Ellie, was marrying the Prince of Scotland, and Daisy was not ready to meet her new family. This book closely resembles another very popular romance book, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before in the fact that both stories will make the reader obsess over love. But, this new romantic tale has many differentiations from other books in this genre because of the creativity of Hawkins. Royals is the perfect quick read for anyone that is interested in romance, Scotland, and drama.
Michael Munrow reviews Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Brian, who is still struggling with the separation of his parents, has a lot more coming his way when his pilot taking him to his dad's house has a heart attack mid flight. And to make matters even worse, it is in the middle of nowhere. The author, Gary Paulsen, who is known for writing survival books such as Woodsong, writes Hatchet about a teenage boy who is dealing with a lot becomes stranded in the middle of nowhere to survive on his own. Gary Paulsen chose the title, Hatchet because a hatchet in which Brian was gifted is the only tool he has with him to help him survive. You might have read Gary Paulsen’s My Life in Dog Years before, well, to start off, Hatchet is fiction and My Life in Dog Years is non-fiction. Also, Hatchet focuses on one character, Brian, while My Life in Dog Years focuses on the the Author, and his many dogs. If you have read My Life in Dog Years, and liked the author's style but want a more action packed-adventurous book, then i would recommend Hatchet.
Andrew Pellicano reviews Booked by Kwame Alexander
Kwame Alexander has written a wonderful story about an eighth grade boy named Nick Hall who uses humor against bullies at school. His family is in turmoil because of the father's new job causing the family to move and forcing Nick to transfer to a new school. In his book, Booked, the title of the novel refers to Nick’s love of vocabulary. The title also refers to the relationship between the librarian and Nick who gives Nick books to read and distract him from his problems in his life. Booked, presents a story of initiation for Nick where he grows and matures into a boy who learns to accept people. Booked is a book written in an unique poetic style and like others in that genre, brings the reader into a remarkable play on words in this enjoyable book about a boy coming of age.
Mason Mitchell reviews The Raft by S.A Bodeen
In The Raft by S.A. Bodeen Robbie is a 15-year old with an unusual life. Her parents are marine biologists who work and live on Midway Island. She frequents a cargo flight from Midway to Honolulu because her aunt lives in Honolulu. To begin with, she seems to live a life that is very independent for someone her age. As a 15-year old it is a little unusual for her to be taking airplanes as she pleases and flying from island to island. Anyway, this independence is semi-critical to the main plot and lines up most of the story.
Kalani Angel Reviews The Swap by Megan Shull
Megan Shull has written a very compelling story told in the voices of a girl and a boy switching bodies and experiencing life as the other gender, called The Swap. The title of this book is describing that the two main characters switch bodies and live in each others lives. This book is for the romance, drama lovers out there. There are many ups and downs in this book, followed by cute romance, loss, and family. A similar read to The Swap is a book called, Kinda Like Brothers written by Coe Booth. This is a very eventful story about two boys who end up living with each other, but don’t get along and have to figure out a way. In The Swap, the two characters end up having to figure out a way to live in eachothers lives. In Kinda Like Brothers, the two main characters have to figure out a way to deal with each other in their lives.
Christian Stevens reviews The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
S. E. Hinton wrote the book The Outsiders, which revolves around two groups of “outsiders” who which are outsiders to each other. The Greasers are one of the groups, this is the group where most the main characters thrive in; and the second group is The Socs which are the arch rivals, and the nemesis to The Greasers. These two groups are outsiders of each other and outsiders of the world around them. The book takes place in a basic small town and focuses in on a 14 year old boy named Ponyboy, who after the death of his parents, he and his brothers Darry, and Soda pop ended up in a group or “gang” that was called “The Greasers” which throughout the book had been led into many events that would be defined as stressful, important, and drastic.
Zach Reviews A Walk in the Woods
Podcast3rdQ.m4aDylan Evershed Compares the movie of Percy Jackson vs. the book
Though many would perceive both the book and movie of Percy Jackson falling under the same premise, they both differ between each other in many ways. The most obvious factor that differed from the book and the movie was that the book allowed the reader to experience a more detailed and in depth introduction into the world of mythology. As well, the movie does lack on many minor details that are proved crucial by the end of the plot, such as his age, the locations of the adventures and many more. Through this podcast you are allowed to experience a highly organized and easy to listen to podcast!
The Crossover Book Review.mp4