Pasadena Public Library
Review by Alaina Joby, age 14 The Stranger Game by Cylin Busby Summary: When Nico Walker’s older sister mysteriously disappears, her parents, family, and friends are devastated. But Nico can never admit what she herself feels: relief at finally being free of Sarah’s daily cruelties. Then the best and worst thing […]
review by Madison Comick, age 15 American Street by Ibi Zoboi I have just read the book that will cause you to smile, frown, laugh, cry, -laugh and cry at the same time- scream, lay down and wonder what exactly you’re doing in life, listen to I’m Not Okay (I […]
recap by Nina Dinan age 13 Breakin’ News is a recently organized monthly discussion for teens during which news, politics, and/or the Constitution are explored. Breakin’ News was organized to give teens an opportunity to exchange views and ask questions pertaining to current events. For example, “What’s up with Michael […]
recap by Madison Comick, age 15 Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven A couple of Novembers ago, YA Book Club read All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. We thought it was literally the most amazing story we’d ever heard of. I think we’re all still fawning over that […]
Review by Nina Dinan, age 13 Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley by Charlotte Gordon Summary: In 1797, less than two weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Mary Wollstonecraft died, and a remarkable life spent pushing against the boundaries of society’s expectations for […]
Recap by Alicia Zhang, age 13 On Monday, April 17, 2017, the Central Library hosted a Youth Mental Health First Aid workshop, taught by Dr. Geoff Milam.. It was more of an introduction to mental health first aid—not to be used as a replacement for the eight-hour youth mental health […]
recap by Madison Comick, age 15 Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes Even if you’re a fan of magic and kingdoms, you may not like this story; participants at the YA Book Club this April meeting didn’t, even though 3 out of 4 of us enjoy fantasy novels. The fantasy novel […]
review by Kara Eng, age 18 Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Summary: Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or […]
review by Kara Eng, age 18 A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas Summary: Though Feyre now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, but as she navigates the feared Night Court’s dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms–and […]
Book Club recap by McKenna Blackshire, grade 8 Summary: “In a world where disease has been eliminated, the only way to die is to be randomly killed (‘gleaned’) by professional reapers (‘scythes’). Two teens must compete with each other to become a scythe–a position neither of them wants. The one who […]