Pasadena Public Library
review by Jacob Chon, age 16 Orphan Monster Spy by Matt Killeen All Sarah has ever wanted was a simple life. However, destiny did not decide it to be that way. Thrust into one of the worst governments in human history, and cursed with a Jewish bloodline that marks her for death, Sarah […]
review by Aminda Zou, age 14 The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo The Poet X is a marvelous novel told in poetry form where Elizabeth Acevedo narrates the story of a silenced young woman, Xiomara Batista. This novel addresses the issues of racism, sexism, and the importance of self-defense and having a voice. […]
review by John Chon, age 16 Odd One Out by Nic Stone Odd One Out by Nic Stone is a story about self discovery. This book follows two very close childhood friends, a straight guy and a lesbian girl. Courtney “Coop” and Jupiter “Jupe” are very close, with Jupe’s parents being gay fathers […]
review by Jacob Chon, age 16 Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli High school is an awkward place. Personal interactions are tough, romance is opaque, and Leah Burke is no stranger to these issues. Her progressive ideas and accepting attitude towards others is only matched by the difficulty of doing so. […]
review by Nina Dinan, age 15 I Have the Right To: A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope by Chessy Prout with Jenn Abelson I Have the Right To: A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope is the memoir of Chessy Prout, a student […]
review by Ashley Z, age 13 Light Years by Kass Morgan The book Light Years is told from the perspectives of Vesper, Cormak, Arran, and Orelia, all from different planets in the solar system. They are all accepted in to the Quatra Fleet Academy, the most prestigious school in the entire solar system, and […]
review by Jacob Chon, age 16 Devils Unto Dust by Emma Berquist Devils Unto Dust is a zombie novel set in a post-Civil War era. Willie is just a girl trying to survive in the harsh, Midwestern desert. She lives in constant fear of the shakes—zombies who have lost every shred of […]
review by Aminda Zou, age 14 Now Is Everything by Amy Giles Now Is Everything by Amy Giles is an emotional and compelling novel. The story of Hadley McCauley’s senior year is told in alternating then and now chapters. The protagonist of this story, Hadley, comes from a wealthy and seemingly-perfect family, […]
review by John Chon, age 16 The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis The Dangerous Art of Blending In by Angelo Surmelis is a somewhat true story of a teenager growing up, trying to blend in. Evan Panos is a Greek Christian, with a mother who is very strict and traditionalist. […]
review by Nina Dinan, age 15 Before I Had the Words is the memoir of Skylar Kergil, an artist, activist, and YouTuber who is a transgender man. This book details the struggles he faced, both with his identity and later with his transition, as a young adult in a […]