Pasadena Public Library
review by Sylvie Bower, age 16 I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo Desi Lee knows that anything is achievable if you have a plan and stick to it. So far, it’s gotten her everything she’s wanted – straight As, the student body presidency, and the varsity soccer team […]
review by Alicia Zhang, age 13 The Evaporation of Sofi Snow by Mary Weber In a world split into corporations, Earth-dwellers and Delonese inhabitants from another planet, a virtual reality programming competition between the aforementioned corporations is the most popular form of entertainment. Nineteen-year-old Sofi Snow and her friend Heller are […]
Rebel of The Sands By Alwyn Hamilton Summary: “Amani is desperate to leave the dead-end town of Dustwalk, and she’s counting on her sharpshooting skills to help her escape. But after she meets Jin, the mysterious rebel running from the Sultan’s army, she unlocks the powerful truth about the desert […]
review by Kara Eng, age 18 The Princess Bride by William Goldman Summary: What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be…well…a lot less than the man of her dreams? As a boy, William Goldman claims, he […]
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 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 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 […]