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 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 […]
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 […]
Book Club recap by Kara Eng, Grade 12 Crooked Kingdom For February, YA Book Club read Crooked Kingdom, the sequel to Six of Crows, which we read in November 2015. Previously, Six of Crows was our highest rated book, but Crooked Kingdom has now taken that spot. Many thought that Crooked […]
Review by Jacob Chon, grade 9 An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Summary: Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear. […]