Summer Reading Club Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Name: Kelly S.

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Review: Clay Jenkins has had a huge crush on Hannah Baker ever since the first time he saw her, but when Hannah killed herself, Clay is left wanting to know why. His answer comes a few weeks later when an anonymous package comes to the door that is filled with cassette tapes. The cassette tapes are all of Hannah, explaining the roles of thirteen people who influenced her decision to commit suicide. Those are the only thirteen people to receive the tapes which means Clay himself was a reason. Hannah takes Clay on a journey through the tapes as he learns the cost of his peers' and his own mistakes. This was a very emotional and well-written novel.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: The McCree's Star Spangled 4th

Name: Kelly S.
Title: The McCree's Star Spangled 4th
Author: J.C. Isabella
Review: As a sequel to J.C. Isabella's Chasing McCree, this short story concentrates on Briar seeking Chase's mother's approval of their relationship. This is a very quick and fun read which happily concludes and
reassures the readers of the unlikely relationship between the "city princess" and the "Montana cowboy" a month or so after Briar's arrival at the McCree Ranch.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Chasing McCree

Name: Kelly S.
Title: Chasing McCree
Author: J.C. Isabella
Review: Briar Thomson was a beautiful, popular, and rich cheerleader who thought she had everything before her so-called friends betrayed her. She then began to establish a friendship with Chase McCree, the new guy from Montana. Once Chase decides to move back to Montana and inherit his deceased father's ranch, Briar can think of nothing stopping her from leaving Florida as she embarks on a journey to the McCree Ranch. This is where Briar will learn if her relationship with Chase was really meant to be. This was a very sweet, and kindhearted novel that I highly recommend.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Meet Rebecca

Name: Alexandra P.
Title: Meet Rebecca
Author: Jacqueline Dembar Greene
Review: If you like historical fiction you'll love this book. Meet Rebecca is about a girl who grew up in 1914 when many Jews were coming from Russia. Also at this time World War I was happening in Russia. When Rebecca heard that her cousin Ana was ill and had to escape to America she immediately wanted to help. To find out more you'll have to read the book.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: The Sky is Everywhere

Name: Kelly S.
Title: The Sky is Everywhere
Author: Jandy Nelson
Review: Lennie Walker is grieving after her sister's, Bailey's, unexpected death. She turns to Bailey's boyfriend, Toby, for help, but when their empathy turns into attraction, Lennie's life spirals even more out of control. And then there's Joe, the new boy in town whose optimistic and free-spirited presence helps Lennie forget about her sister's tragedy. This emotionally moving novel portrays Lennie's struggles and attempts at finding closure with Bailey's death. It's a great read for high school girls.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: To Have and to Hold

Name: Alexandra P.
Title: From the Files of Madison Finn: to Have and to Hold
Author: Laura Dower
Review: Madison Finn is a twelve-year-old girl who loves to blog. But when her dad is getting remarried after a divorce Madison is shocked. Also Madison has to read a reading in front of her dad's fiancé's huge family. If Madison can make the wedding gift, get used to her dad's fiancé's huge family, and read a reading from Shakespeare in front of that huge family it will be a miracle.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Devoted

Name: Kelly S.

Title: Devoted

Author: Hilary Duff

Review: In this sequel to Elixir, Clea is searching and attempting to save her immortal boyfriend, Sage, from the evil Saviors of Eternal Life. She seeks help from Amelia, a supernatural, immortal girl who can appear in peoples' dreams and thoughts, who sets up an alliance between Clea and the Cursed Vengeance, the Saviors' rivals. But when Amelia's mother, Petra, is set on keeping Clea and Sage apart, Clea finds her goal not so easy to accomplish. This book is great and suspenseful with a completely unexpected ending.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall

Name: Brianna A.

Title: Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall

Author: Wendy Mass

Review: For Tessa it was an ordinary day of High School until "Bam" a dodge ball hit her smack in the face. Tessa is sprawled out on the floor as she goes into a coma. She thinks she is on her way to Heaven. On the way she pictures herself at the mall. On her way to "heaven" she meets a boy with a nail in his head who shows her everything important she has ever bought at the mall. Each item helps Tessa realize who she is as a person and brings back memories. This a great book for a high school student who wants a quick,enjoyable,read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: From Willa With Love

Name: Brianna A.
Title: From Willa With Love
Author: Coleen Paratore
Review: From Willa With Love is the 6th book in the Willa Havisham series. In this book Willa's boyfriend is in Florida for the Summer. She lives at a hotel in Cape Cod and helps her mother plan weddings. She recently found out she has a half brother named Will. This book has many twists and turns of friendship and love plus is a great book for Middle School and High School Students :)
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Hera: the goddess and her glory

Name: Gabrielle M.

Title: Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory

Author: George O'Connor

Review: Hera is the Goddess of Marriage, Childbirth, Air, and Sky, and yet she still manages to be the only Goddess that Zeus fears. In the third Olympians book, O'Connor tells the story of Hera. He tells us about her "eyes like a cow" and Hercules. I think this is the best story of the series yet! Enjoy!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Not Simple

Name: Gabrielle M.

Title: Not Simple

Author: Natsume Ono

Review: Well, all I can say is that the title certainly describes the plot of this book! It's a story within a story...which just makes it even more confusing. The main character's life is so dramatic it could be a book. He searches for family, and has trouble finding out really who his family is. With the help of a friend, they will find out the truth the hard way. Definitely not my favorite book, but it's cute!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: The Boy on Cinnamon Street

Name: Brianna A.

Title: The Boy on Cinnamon Street

Author: Phoebe Stone

Review: Louise Terrace has a secret admirer. She thinks its the pizza delivery guy. Her friends refer to Louise as "The Pizza Stalker." The admirer was the first thing that finally cheered Louise up after she lost her mother and her father left for New York. In the end it turns out the secret admirer is who she least expected. This book is good for girls in grades 6-9. :)

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess

Name: Gabrielle M.

Title: Athena: Grey Eyed Goddess

Author: George O'Connor

Review: The graphic novel tells the story of Athena and her birth. O'Connor made Athena's story very interesting and easy to understand with his many illustrations. I was introduced to some new characters and facts that I had not yet learned. I am happy I got to read this book and hope you do too!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Zeus: King of the Gods

Name: Gabrielle M.

Title: Zeus: King of the Gods

Author: George O'Connor

Review: The graphic novel tells the story of the beginning of time, and how Zeus became Zeus and overthrew the Titans and created Olympus. It was very interesting and funny at some parts. O'Connor made me understand the relationship between the Titans and the Gods easily. I really liked this book and look forward to reading the others in the series!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Name: Gabrielle M.
Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Review: When Clay recieves a mysterious package he is shocked to find out it contains a set of tapes recorded by his friend Hannah. The catch is that she is dead. Her death was not a accident. She killed herself. Only that these tapes were going to explain why... this intriguing book teaches you that the little things count and that respecting someone can make a big differece! I highly recommend this book... and it is definitely on my list of favorites!
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Smiles to Go

Name: Gabrielle M.
Title: Smiles to Go
Author: Jerry Spinelli
Review: We all say or hear the words "I hate my brother/sister!" If you take the time to think about it you would realize how lucky you are to have one. The book "Smiles to Go" takes you into Will's life where his sister does everything to annoy him. When his sister faces a near death experience, he realizes that she does these "annoying things" out of love. With a great moral, Jerry Spinelli has done it yet again! Another fantastic quick summer read! Enjoy!
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: 1984

1984 by George Orwell
This book does require a somewhat more mature audience as it does have some complicated concepts, but I thought it was a wonderful book for those who like dystopian societies.  In this futuristic view of the year 1984, as it was written in the 1950s, the Party and Big Brother control all aspects of life.  While the main character struggles as to whether he wants to oppose or submit to a lifestyle not worth living.
Reviewed by Dylan

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Love and Leftovers

Name: Gabrielle M.
Title: Love and Leftovers
Author: Sarah Tregay
Review: When Marcie's parents breakup and Marcie gets dragged out by her mother to New Hampshire, Marcie has to act like the parent when her mother becomes very depressed. Marcie is not only sad to leave her life in Idaho, but still shocked about the fact that her Dad has just admitted to being gay. Marcie meets J.D. in New Hampshire while in a long distance relationship with her boyfriend Linus. She wonders if she is in love and how it feels. This romance is simply written in poems, so don't be mistaken for its page count of a whopping 432 pages, which in reality only took me about a day to read. I hope you enjoy it!
Rating: 5 out of 5

Summer Reading Club Book Review: Take the Reins

Take the Reins by Jessica Burkhart
This book is about a girl named Sasha Silver who moves to a boarding school.  She has to deal with the troubles of making new friends, practicing riding her horse and keeping her grades up.
Reviewed by Kerryann