Title: Fever 1793 

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

What was it about: Mattie Cook is a sixteen year old girl working at her family's coffee house in Philadelphia. The yellow fever breaks out, and no life is left untouched. Mattie has to worry about growing up, keeping her family's business steady, and surviving.  ​

Why you liked or didn't like the book: I liked the book because it has drama, adventure, and intensity without being too flashy and over the top. It is a complex story that is delivered well in the writing. I also love the historical connections within the already intriguing story.​





What age group would like this book: 11 and up
Boys and girls would like this book. 
This book would appeal to teens who like: Historical dramas and strong teenage main characters.

Name: Kaia S.
Age: 13
Grade: 8

All the Light We Cannot See

TEEN BOOK REVIEW        

 

Title: All The Light We Cannot See

Author: Anthony Doerr

Briefly, what was it about?
Werner is an orphan boy growing up in Germany during the Holocaust. One day he stumbles upon a radio. Marie Laure, a blind girl in Paris, is keeping a diamond safe. When the Nazis find out about Werner, they snatch him up and put him into a school for future Nazi soldiers. Marie and her father get threats from the Nazis so they move to the walled town of Saint Malo. Werner finds himself on a mission to Saint Malo and soon their paths may collide.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
This book was written beautifully, with an explosive end. It has good language, and a different side than most books taking place in the holocaust, because it is not set around a jew. Most books that are written during the holocaust are set around jews, so this one was different.


What age group would like this book? 11-15

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Books about the holocaust, historical fiction, light romance

Your Name: Mary P.
Your age: 11
Grade: 6

I Am Malala

TEEN BOOK REVIEW        

Title: I Am Malala

Author: Malala Yousafzai

Briefly, what was it about? 
Malala speaking out against the Taliban, her father has girls still attend his school even though it is illegal so he and Malala are both targeted. This story is of one girl, being selfless, fighting a war of words.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
I didn't like the recklessness, people going in danger, knowing its dangerous, sometimes its kinda stupid. I liked the descriptions, background stories, and events leading up to the invasion.


What age group would like this book? 12+

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Action, drama, acts of courage.

Your Name: Lyle V.
Your age: 15
Grade: 10th

The Great Empty

TEEN BOOK REVIEW    

    


Title: The Great Empty

Author: Anita Melillo

Briefly, what was it about? 
The Great Empty is about a boy named Donovan. His family goes on a trip to Australia. After the plane ride Donovan gets bored and gets separated from his sister, Valentine, and the adult with him, Preston. He learns how to to live in the wild and fends for himself in the Great Empty.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
I liked the book the Great Empty. The Great Empty has a some sense of adventure that I seek out in books. The adventure is when Donovan has his journey through Australia and has to hunt for his meals and escape. Other people like me who like books that keep you on the edge of your seat with adventure would like this book.


What age group would like this book? 11-14

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Realistic Fiction

Your Name: McKayla
Your age: 12
Grade: 7th

Dragonwings

CLASS BOOK REVIEW        

Title: Dragonwings

Author: Laurence Yep

Briefly, what was it about? 
Set in the early 1900s, a boy named Moon Shadow never knew his father until he moves from China to join him in Chinatown, San Francisco. Moon Shadow and his father Windrider encounter many hurdles and challenges throughout the story as they try to set to the skies to fulfill Windrider's dream of flight. Thankfully they have many companions and allies to help them along their journey.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
We liked this book for many reasons:
1. You learn a lot about Chinese culture and history throughout this story. 
2. It is a captivating and adventurous story. 
3. It is very emotional and will get you attached to the characters. 
4. The characters have many admirable qualities. 
5. It was a little slow at times, but in the end it was worth it.


What age group would like this book? 10 - 100! Even adults will enjoy this fascinating novel!

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Adventure, Chinese culture, drama, non-fiction, historical fiction, dangerous situations, humor, sympathetic characters, dragons, and airplanes.

Your Name: Ms. G's 6th grade Language Arts class
Your age: 10-12
Grade: 6

I Am Malala

TEEN BOOK REVIEW       

Title: I Am Malala

Author: Malala Yousafzai

Briefly, what was it about?
In Swat, Pakistan, a girl and her father, fought for girls rights when the Taliban took over, and everyone else was scared to try.  Everyone was scared to die, have their family and friends die, because if someone was in the Taliban’s way, they would kill to get past them.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
I liked that is was suspenseful as you waited for Malala’s next move. 
I disliked that there was too many suicide/killing/injuring parts.


What age group would like this book? middle school through high school

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Autobiographies, intense atmosphere, and nonfiction

Your Name: Elle
Your age: 11
Grade: 6th

Distance Between Us

TEEN BOOK REVIEW      

Title: The Distance Between Us

Author: Kasie West

Briefly, what was it about? 
Caymen Meyers is 17 and helps out at her mom's porcelain doll shop. One day, one of her usual rich customer's grandson came in, named Xander. As Xander and Caymen start hanging out Xander tries to become friends with Caymen. But it's harder for Caymen to build a relationship with Xander because of her mom. Every time that Caymen asks why her mom holds a grudge on rich people she always tells the same story.  When Caymen starts a girlfriend, boyfriend relationship with Xander she takes advice from her pink haired friend, Skylar. Things get tougher for Caymen when her mom finds out about her relationship. As well as when Xander and Caymen go to a fancy restaurant and Caymen is taken by surprise.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
Since I love romance books, I would choose this one as well as some of her other books. What I liked is how Caymen and Xander starts from nothing and then reading how it evolves into a boyfriend, girlfriend relationship.


What age group would like this book? tween

Would BOYS like this book? No
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Light romance

Review by: Hayden W.
Age: 13
Grade: 8th

Since You've Been Gone

Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Morgan Matson

Briefly, what was it about?
It's about this girl and her best friend runs away and leaves her this list. It's a to do list that makes this girl push herself to do all of these. She thinks when she completes all of these activities, she will find her best friend.

Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
I liked this book because I love the style of writing that the author does! It's so suspenseful and I never wanted to put the book down! It also has a bit of romance.

What age group would like this book? 10-17

Would BOYS like this book? No
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes


This book would appeal to teens who like...romance and solving things.

Your Name: Kiana
Your age: 13
Grade: 7

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Title: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Author: Chris Crutcher

Briefly, what was it about?
The book is centered around an overweight boy (Moby), who joins the swim team in high school. Throughout the story he brings up past stories of his childhood friend Sarah Byrnes. Sarah is in a psychiatric hospital and is unwilling to talk to anyone. Moby tries desperately to figure out what is wrong with Sarah, before something drastic happens.

Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
Chris Crutcher took on tough topics in this book, such as religion, child abuse, abortion, and suicide, but the book only serves to rehash old arguments commonly heard on these subjects. The characters are portrayed as black and white, good or bad, which is unrealistic of how people are. The "bad guys" are one-dimensional, shown as ignorant, and rude who eventually see the error in their ways. The "good guys" are empathetic and well meaning. Despite this the book has strong characters that face emotional and psychological struggles that many teens may face. Sarah Byrnes is the most resilient and well developed character throughout the book.

What age group would like this book? 13+

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like... Writers like John Green, and other coming stories with hard to discuss subjects.

Your Name: Erin S
Your age: 16
Grade: 11

The Fault in Our Stars

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green

Briefly, what was it about?
This book is about the willingness to love someone for what is inside the person not just their appearance. It details to journey of One Hazel Grace and Gus through love, hard times, misery, comradery, and loss.


Tell why you LIKED or DIDN’T LIKE the book.
I liked this book because it reached into my heart when telling the romantic story of one falling in love and it deals with cancer which is a common topic for some people.




What age group would like this book? Ages 12 and above

Would BOYS like this book? Yes
Would GIRLS like this book? Yes

This book would appeal to teens who like...
Romance, Love, Shenanigans, Loss, Adventure, Revenge

Your Name: Megan
Age: 18
Grade: 12

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Title: Something Like Normal

Author: Trish Doller

Briefly, what was it about?

Travis Stephenson arrived home for a month while on leave from being deployed in Afghanistan with the United States Marine Corps. Travis is currently suffering from undiagnosed PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) after seeing his best friend, Charlie Sweeney, die in combat. If this wasn’t enough his girlfriend recently dumped him…for his brother, not to mention he finds out that his parent’s marriage is falling apart. Talk about a vacation. Then he runs into Harper, and although their first meeting doesn’t go entirely well, what with her punching him in the face and all, they seem to get thrown together a lot and become closer. The Marine was hopefully for a normal stay, but what he got was so much more.

Did you like the book? Yes

Why? I myself am sort of fascinated by the United States Military and have the greatest respect for them, which helped me appreciate this book a lot more than possibly your average reader (but still read it! It’s really good! And cute J). Anyway, I loved the protagonist and since our ages are actually very close he was very relatable in a way. Plus the book isn’t all military; there is romance along with friend and family dynamics that way out number the military aspects. I loved Travis and Harper; I became attached and sad about Charlie, understanding and upset about his kind of messed up family, and fell in love with his Marine buddies and their friendship together. All in all, this book has many different sides to it which can create a unique experience for every reader. I couldn’t put it down.

Who would like this book?

1.      Age group? 15 and older

2.      Gender? Both

3.      This book would appeal to teens who like… Military, romance, family issues, close/understanding friendships, bonds between people, recovering soldiers, ct

Your age: 17

Grade: 12

Fever by Lauren DeStefano

TEEN BOOK REVIEW

Title: Fever     

Author: Lauren DeStefano

Briefly, what was it about? In this sequel to Withered, Rhine and Gabriel have just escaped from the mansion and are now on the run and trying to make it across the country to Manhattan, and to Rhine’s twin brother Rowan. However, this journey isn’t as easy as it may seem to be. It also seems as though Housemaster Vaughn won’t give up his ‘property’ so easily. With no plan and many delays it seems at times that they may never reach Manhattan, and even when they feel the safest, tragedy can strike.

Did you like the book?

Yes

Why?

I thought it was an adequate sequel; however I think that the first book was better. I also have a feeling, based on the writing of the previous book and how this one ended that the third has the potential to be very good. I did like the characters in this one, and you were introduced to some very interesting, if not always good ones. You also see the relationship between Rhine and Gabriel grow, Rhine makes some very interesting discovers about herself, and the ending to me was very good. Some things were finally said that needed to be said.

Who would like this book?

1.      Age group? 14 and older

2.      Gender? Female

3.      This book would appeal to teens who like… Withered, post-apocalyptic, romance, overcoming obstacles, etc.

Your age: 17

Grade: 11

Name: Katelyn

The List by Siobhan Vivian

TEEN BOOK REVIEW

Title: The List

Author: Siobhan Vivian

Briefly, what was it about? Every year on the week of homecoming a list comes out at Mount Washington High School naming the ugliest and the prettiest girl in each class. The List follows the lives of the eight girls named and the ramifications that come with being prettiest or ugliest during homecoming week. One could be homecoming queen, one’s life could fall apart, and in this high school it seems that anything could happen.

Did you like the book? Yes

Why? I thought it was so interesting! There were a couple of twists in the story line, but mainly it was just so easy to see what goes on behind closed doors. It had a real quality to the writing, as in yes this is what some people’s lives ate like. Things may not be as perfect as they seem. How being named the prettiest of your grade can ruin your life and being called the ugliest can make it. I was captivated in this book, eager to see what would happen next and what paths each of the girls lives would take.

Who would like this book?

1.      Age group? 15 and older

2.      Gender? Female

3.      This book would appeal to teens who like… High School, drama, friendship, cause and effect

Your age: 17

Grade: 11

Name: Katelyn

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Title: Article 5

Author: Kristen Simmons

Briefly, what was it about?

In this dystopian novel Ember is taken away from her mother because of Article 5, which says no unmarried person can have a child. If that wasn’t bad enough the love of Ember’s life, Chase, was the one who took away her mother and got her landed into a reformatory. Now all Ember wants to do is be reunited with her mother, and she gets some unlikely help in her journey.

Did you like the book?

Yes, but I was slightly disappointed

Why? I liked the book, and it was a good dystopian, but it didn’t quite read my expectations that I had. I’ve read some truly spectacular dystopias and even though this one was good it didn’t quite measure up. However, I loved the relationships that occurred, I really liked the characters and unlike the overdone ‘teens fighting the system’ routine it was more of living with the system and resistance activity.

Who would like this book?

1.      Age group? 15 and older

2.      Gender? Both

3.      This book would appeal to teens who like…  relationships, dystopian, corrupt government/conspiracy theories

Your age: 17

Grade: 11

Katelyn

Ultraviolet by B.J. Anderson

TEEN BOOK REVIEW

Title: Ultraviolet

Author: B.J. Anderson

Briefly, what was it about? Alison wakes up in a psych ward of a hospital, with no clue as to how she got there. Later she remembers fighting with the most popular girl in school, Tori, punching her in the face, and then her disintegrating. But Alison isn’t like everyone else either, she sees sounds as colors, hear colors, taste when someone is lying. This and the disappearance of Tori, lands her a prime suspect of a murder, and a patient of a Pine Hills Psychiatric Facility. When a certain psychologist takes a certain interest in Alison, she begins to wonder if she actually is insane after all…

Did you like the book? I did

Why? I loved the fact that the diagnoses for Alison are real and the book was incredibly well written. The very ending got a little weird for me and was slightly disappointing, but the book was still really good and I recommend it.

Who would like this book?

1.      Age group? 16 and up

2.      Gender? More female

3.      This book would appeal to teens who like… stories with a twist, fiction, self-discovery

Your age: 17

Grade: 11

Katelyn

Welcome

Welcome to the Brown County Library TeenZone, a place for book reviews by our libraries' teens (and the occasional staff).  If you are in grades 6-12th and are interested in contributing reviews and earning service hours, contact us at: BC_LIBRARY_FICTION at CO dot BROWN dot WI dot US .

You can find us online and place holds on any book that catches your eye through our catalog.