Pasadena Public Library
The Brilliant Death AMY ROSE CAPETTA · Viking Books for Young Readers Pages: 352 Format: Hardcover For Teodora DiSangro, a mafia don’s daughter, family is fate. All her life, Teodora has hidden the fact that she secretly turns her family’s enemies into music boxes, mirrors, and other decorative objects. After […]
A review and opinion by William Krestow, age 16 On February 6, 2019 in the John Muir High School Library, youth activists gathered for a meeting on annual accomplishments. With a single exception, it was a typical yearly progress meeting. There were few adults directly participating in the discussion; the purpose […]
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 […]
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson A Young Adult Book Cub Recap by William Krestow, Age 16 Spensa’s world has been under alien attack for decades. Pilots are the heroes of what’s left of humanity, and becoming a pilot is Spensa’s dream. Ever since she was a little girl, Spensa has […]
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. […]
Pasadena Public Library – Teen Advisory Board, 1/14/19 Present: Carolyn, Chris, Emilie, Faith, Liam, Liliana, Lauren, Luke, Sophie, Taleen Focus of January meeting: spring event, SRC prizes & graphics Assignment: SRC prize research: To prep for our next meeting, please do a bit of research on what you would like […]
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 […]
Thunderhead by Neil Shusterman A Young Adult Book Cub Recap by William Krestow, Age 16 In Thunderhead, Neil Shusterman portrays not a dystopian future, but a utopia, where humanity has conquered even death and is governed by a philanthropic AI called the Thunderhead. However, it is a utopia on […]