Five Feet Apart - Directed by Justin Baldoni

Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Stella has spent her entire life inside hospital rooms. Every day feels the same; the same routine with multiple pills, tubes, and procedures. Will is another cystic fibrosis patient who needs hospital treatment for his lung infections. The general rule is to be six feet apart, which is all it takes for a fatal cross-infection to spread between two patients. Eventually, Stella and Will grow to have feelings for each other despite the circumstances they’re in. Each patient struggles to cope with their restricted lives. However, is stepping just one foot closer to each other all that bad? 
Five Feet Apart is an extremely heartbreaking film that illustrates the story of two cystic fibrosis patients who wish to lead a normal life. The film communicates sentiment, romance, and compassion through each scene as the characters learn to grow through their experiences. I would recommend this movie, or even the original novel, to those who are looking for a memorable story.

Based on a novel by Mikki Daughtry, Racheal Lippincott, and Tobias Iaconis
Rated PG-13

Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

Renegades by Marissa Meyer is a novel about a world in which select people have superpowers and the rivalry between good and evil is nowhere near black and white. Nova works for a rebel group, the Anarchists, who oppose the rule of the Renegades, a group of the most powerful people who saved the world from villainy and collapse. Nova wants revenge upon the Renegades and after a failed assassination attempt on one of the heads of the Renegades, she gets pulled into a scheme to take them down from the inside. Her mission as a double agent leads her to meet a boy named Adrian who will do anything for justice even if it means breaking a few rules himself. Her attachment to Adrian and her slowly changing views of her world try her loyalty to the Anarchists but also cause her to realize the true flaws in the Renegade system. When the time comes for her to make her move and take down the ‘heroes’ of society, will she be able to do it even if it means betraying new friends?

 I really enjoyed this book, especially because of its complex take on the society run by superheroes angle. The idea of having the main character be on the ‘villainous’ side helps the reader realize that even the ‘heroes’ aren’t perfect, in fact, they’re quite far from it. I also liked how the author used the relationship between Nova and Adrian to both give Nova a lot of internal conflict and lighten up the novel. Another thing the author did really well is how she built the characters. Each person has such an intricate personality, it feels like you know them. Additionally, the writing style makes the book seem to fly by so you won’t be able to put it down. I would give this book a solid four out of five stars because it’s written really well and is very encapsulating with turns and twists everywhere. For fans of the Lunar Chronicles, the Marvel Universe, and other Sci-Fi and YA novels, I highly recommend you pick up Renegades by Marissa Meyer.

Review Written by Ada, 9th Grade

The Maze Runner Directed by Wes Ball

A teenage boy gains consciousness in an unknown world unable to remember his own name, failing to recognize how, where, and why he was there. He is welcomed into a civilization that seems to be in the same situation, with no memory of identity or origin. The landscape is encased around a towering wall, strictly forbidden to go beyond. The boy learns that behind the walls lies a complex maze filled with dangerous obstacles, which nobody has survived a night inside to tell the tale. To decipher possible escape routes, runners venture into the maze to memorize pathways. Despite this, three years have passed with no true success. Disaster emerges as the truths of this world are revealed for the first time.

The Maze Runner is a highly entertaining dystopian film that I would recommend to people who enjoy adventure or action-packed thrillers. The storyline is well executed with enjoyable suspense and anticipation. Each character is presented with a specific personality or trait, which makes them memorable throughout the film. The protagonist may be considered typical, but the role is well-played to fit the narrative. The film overall has some violence or intensity that may not appeal to everyone. In all, I enjoyed this watch and would continue to follow along this movie trilogy.

Based on the novel by James Dashner
Rated PG-13

Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites, written by Marie Lu, tells the thrilling tale of a young girl, scarred from a deadly blood fever that swept through her nation of Kenettra. Thousands perished, but a few survivors are left with mysterious abilities. Those were known as the Young Elites, praised by common folk, hunted down by the Inquisition Axis that ruled the nation. When Adelina Amourteru accidentally kills her father, in a struggle to control her newfound abilities, she finds herself in a deadly battle between the Inquisition Axis and a group of Young Elites known as the Dagger Society. Adelina must find a way to control her powers before it rips both her and her fellow Daggers apart.

 This book was an amazing read, containing beautiful descriptions and memorable characters. It contains a dark, morally grey, and damaged main character, a diverse cast of supporting characters, and a complex, layered antagonist. Taking a unique twist on a common plot, this book is absolutely gorgeous and I would one hundred percent recommend it.

Review Written by Lindsey, 9th Grade

The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 At ten years old and with a crippled foot, Ada has never left her small London apartment. Her abusive mother, disgusted by her daughter’s “ugly foot”, forcefully keeps Ada locked inside and away from the outside world. Left in isolation and often beaten or harshly punished, Ada feels her life couldn't get any worse. Shortly in the year 1939, World War II erupts in Europe and children are sent away to be taken to the safer countryside. Bombs or no, Ada’s mother refuses to send her away with her six-year-old brother, Jamie. Determined to escape, Ada embarks on a journey of courage with plans to leave London against her mother’s consent.

The War That Saved My Life is an emotionally powerful novel that I would recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction genres. Along the story, I begin to unknowingly sympathize with Ada’s hardships and cheer for her victories. Personally, at first glance, the novel was a little difficult to interpret. However, I found myself enjoying it as the book progressed.

Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

Blended by Sharon Draper

Sharon Draper's intense novel, Blended, is an honest, warm story of a family that shows both sides of racism, from a young mixed-girl perspective, Isabella, called Izzy. Izzy's father is black, and her mother is white, so she regularly feels like she doesn't fit in with society. When her parents abruptly get divorced after not getting along and fighting about silly, irrelevant topics, she blames the divorce and the brokenness of her family on herself. Throughout the process, she begins to lose the strong, young woman she is. Izzy and her brother Devin start to live a double life; two houses, two families, two wardrobes, and they eventually begin to feel like two different kids. After suffering for a while, Izzy's friend faces racism and becomes targeted and placed in danger. In history, classmates talked about lynching, and Izzy witnessed her black friend ending her day by being surprised with a noose in her. Isabella realizes that racism is a real event that takes place in the world and realizes that it does not need to define the person she is. Still, Izzy physically suffers from police brutality while being innocent and ends up with a gruesome bullet wound in a hospital. The event became overlooked, and people reacted as it was normal to act in society, so it did not receive the attention it deserved.

 This novel contains serious topics such as identity development, family dynamics, and police brutality, but is the perfect mixture of all of them. Author Sharon Draper captures the feelings of her readers and the characters in a serious, and humorous way. She is unafraid to introduce mature topics in a sophisticated manner but easy to comprehend. Blended is a compelling, exciting story that showcases how a kid is trying to learn who they are, and figure out where they belong in the world.

Review Written by Anya, 7th Grade

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Many centuries in the future, after the Fourth World War, humans and technology alike rule the world. A deadly plague called Letumosis is destroying populations across the planet, and a kingdom of Lunars - humans from the moon - are eager to invade Earth. Sixteen year old Cinder is a talented mechanic from New Beijing, who also happens to be a cyborg. Her metallic extremities make her a second-class citizen, and an embarrassment to her evil stepmother and sisters. As the Letumosis plague continues to ravage the country, Cinder’s life suddenly becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s. Cinder must uncover secrets about her mysterious past while balancing her interesting new friendship, all while keeping a dangerous secret that could put everyone she knows in danger.

I really enjoyed this book. On a scale from 1 to 10, I would give it an 8.4. The author went into great detail about how the world looked and operated during Cinder’s time, and I was incredibly fascinated by all of the intricate descriptions of androids and hover cars. It was really interesting to read about a time in the future where people were experiencing a pandemic, much as we are now. Although our current pandemic is nowhere near the severity of Letumosis, the way it was approached was somewhat similar. One of my favorite aspects of this story was how it branched out from the Cinderella story, while still staying true to some of the traditional elements. The fact that Cinder was a strong, independent girl with a talent made her really likeable. The story definitely kept me on my toes, and it was impossible to put down. I would recommend this book to pre-teens and up. It is a really interesting story with some great elements of sci-fi. The cliffhangers are super unexpected, and although the story can be a bit slow, the action scenes and climaxes are 100% worth it.

 Review Written by Asha, 9th Grade

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dystopian novel about a harrowing near future. In this world, pollution and contamination have caused birth rates to plummet which prompted the rise of Gilead, a totalitarian regime. In Gilead, fertile women who haven’t conformed to the strict biblical rules of the society have their children taken away from them and are forced to become child-bearers for infertile high-class couples. This story follows a handmaid who has been renamed Offred, a name noting the Commander who she’s in service to, Fred. Over the course of the book, Offred examines the society of Gilead while looking back on her life before. In a society where not even high-class women have any rights and experience brutality such as daily occurring hangings and stonings, Offred must persevere and try to stay alive without losing herself.

This book was both frightening and thought-provoking as it highlighted things that seem insane in a way that’s eerily close to reality. For example, the way of life in Gilead is extremely misogynistic with women being denied the right to read, have a job, or speak freely, which seems very alienated from us today. But when the novel revealed how Gilead came to be, you realize that the society isn’t as unrealistic as it first seemed. In The Handmaid’s Tale, I really liked how the complex character relationships were written in a very genuine way, especially between people like Offred and the Commander because Atwood explored so far past the surface. Additionally, Offred’s emotions and her slightly unstable mental state are written so immersively that you feel them yourself as you follow her story. If you are a mature reader who has enjoyed books like Fahrenheit 451 and Hunger Games or you’re looking to explore a new carefully crafted fictional universe, I highly recommend that you read The Handmaid’s Tale.

Review Written by Ada, 9th Grade

Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan

The novel, Echo, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, is a compelling story that connects three different accounts of children that come face to face with injustices joined by a magical, stunning harmonica.

In Nazi Germany in the 1930s, Friedrich's father is innocently arrested for inviting his Jewish friend to gather and play music. Friedrich can not enjoy playing music because he is occupied by the fear of being sterilized because of the ugly birthmark on his face.

In the Great Depression, Mike and his younger brother are suffering in an unloving orphanage, and are mistreated. A strange rich woman adopts them, but they learn they are in jeopardy of being sent back and plan to escape so they can be independent and stay together.

In the 1940s, Ivy and her Hispanic family move to Southern California, where she learns she must attend the inferior school for Mexicans rather than the school for white children. She educates herself on the injustices Japanese families are suffering at internment camps and uses her voice to speak up to give equality to all.

Friedrich, Mike, and Ivy all have a unique musical ability, use their magical harmonica to make people feel better, and bring beauty and fun to their lives. They inspire others to settle for nothing less than what they deserve, and their stories are cleverly interwoven at the end.

This lengthy book is intimidating from the looks, but the audience may be surprised to finish it in a few days. The lesson is essential for all readers to learn about the importance of hope and music, even in dark times. For instance, when Friedrich and his sister Elisabeth can't sleep, their father brings out his old cello to bring some happiness to the broken family, which is one of the many small, tender moments in the book. Readers will instantly fall in love with the three strong protagonists and even the framing fairytale story that sets the book in motion. At the same time, they will be amazed by the clever ending.

Review Written by Anya, 7th Grade

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven

The novel Holding Up the Universe written by Jennifer Niven is centered around a teenage girl named Libby Strout, who is known around her small town in Indiana as “America’s Fattest Teen”. Ever since a video was posted of her being cut out of her house three years ago, she has struggled with constant bullying and insults from people in her town as well as people on the internet. However, Libby has to go back to high school for her junior year. There, she meets Jack Masselin, a seemingly perfect, popular boy with friends who ridicule Libby for her weight. After Jack is pressured by his friends to jump on Libby as part of a cruel game, she punches him and they are forced to do community service and attend a Conversation Circle after school. Libby finds a note from Jack, explaining that he cannot remember people’s faces and has been keeping this secret for most of his life. Through these activities, they gradually start to get to know each other better while trying to figure out why Jack is unable to remember faces. As they navigate emotional and social challenges throughout the novel, Jack and Libby begin to pursue an unexpected romance and battle various obstacles along the way.

Although I do not typically enjoy reading romance novels, I truly enjoyed reading this book. It is an intriguing, heart-wrenching, and relatable novel that I think many people, especially teenagers, would like reading. The plot and the author’s captivating writing style draw the reader in and set the book apart from typical romance novels. I also particularly liked Niven’s use of alternating viewpoints because it gives the audience a better understanding of Jack’s actions and thoughts instead of just Libby’s. I would definitely recommend this book to readers ages 13 and up that enjoy coming of age or romance novels.

Review Written by Alina, 10th Grade

The Martian by Andy Weir

NASA’s investment in the Ares Program made it possible for humankind to launch surface operations on planet Mars. Part of the Ares 3 mission, Mark Watney and his crew-mates travel into orbit to begin an unforgettable journey being one of the first few people to set foot on Mars. However, things take a disastrous turn when a detrimental sandstorm hits the Hab shortly after a successful arrival. The next moment, Mark finds himself unconscious and injured. NASA prioritized the survival of the remaining crew, having no option but to leave him behind. Mark was certain that he’d be the first man to die on Mars. Stranded with no method of communication, Mark is isolated in an unknown terrain with limited oxygen, food, and water. Suddenly a mission once intended for discovery and exploration transitions into a treacherous pursuit to stay alive.

The Martian, a novel written by Andy Weir, is an equally fascinating and entertaining read. Progressing along the story, readers are presented with a scenario that is incredibly difficult to imagine. With no one to rely on but his own resourcefulness and motivation, the protagonist lives with a hopeful burden questioning if he will one day return to Earth. Although set in a difficult surrounding, humor and personality are still part of the narrative. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy science fiction themes and to those who don’t mind some colorful language. 

Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen didn’t expect a package of cassette tapes to be delivered to his front door. Out of curiosity, he decides to listen to the old audio recordings using the stereo in his garage. Clay mindlessly presses play, but he never imagined hearing Hannah Baker’s voice echoing back at him. It was impossible. Hannah killed herself, and Clay knew it. Clay soon discovers that the recordings he’d received were Hannah’s suicide tapes. Thirteen stories, confessions, and reasons why she’d ended her life. Clay was one of them. Clay learns the truth about Hannah’s painful experience surrounding rumor, judgement, and mistreatment. Who or what was to blame?

Thirteen Reasons Why is a heartbreaking novel written with a stunning narrative and story. Each sentence, paragraph, and page is filled with emotion as the book progresses. Reading along the story, the suspenseful feeling of hope and grief makes each occurrence truly memorable. I undoubtedly enjoyed this read and would strongly recommend it to readers who enjoy mystery, thriller, and maybe even romantic genres or themes. Each personal story is vividly presented with detail and personality. 

Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins is a prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy and follows the coming-up of Coriolanus Snow. The house of Snow has fallen on hard times after the district’s rebellions several years prior and he’s losing his ability to hide it and keep his status. Snow starts the novel as an eighteen-year-old student at the Academy where he’s being assigned a tribute to mentor through the Hunger Games. He’s determined to win so that he can win the prize money and save his family name. He gets assigned the girl from District 12 which he believes to be a losing sentence, but when she makes a big splash at her reaping, Coriolanus decides to do everything he can to get her to win. Once his tribute, Lucy Gray, reaches the Capitol, he realizes that she’s more fierce and wonderful than he’s ever imagined and he starts to fall in love.

 I thought that this novel was a great addition to the Hunger Games universe, albeit not quite as great as the original trilogy. At the start of the novel, Collins tries to humanize Snow which was strange to read, but Snow quickly starts to descend into his truly evil self. Throughout the book, the development of his relationship with Lucy Gray perfectly goes along with his character development and adds a great romance aspect. Additionally, Snow’s eventual betrayal of those that he loves helps affirm him as the monster we see from Katniss’ story. Overall, I would give this novel a 3.8 out of 5 stars because it was a really well-written novel, but didn’t quite live up to the original books. If you are a Hunger Games fan, love dystopian fiction, or want to know how someone could turn completely evil from being a mostly respectable person, I highly recommend that you read The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

Review Written by Ada, 9th Grade

The Selection by Kiera Cass

America Singer is a Five. Now, in our world, this number would have no meaning. For America however, that number basically set up her entire life. In her country Illéa, there is a caste system. Ones are royalty, rich and always well fed, and if you're an Eight, you're nothing, you get no education, and you're most likely a criminal. Everybody’s caste was decided long ago, based on their ancestor’s ability to help the government after Gregory Illéa founded the country after the Fourth World War. Since America was a Five, her career choices were limited to singer, musician, or any type of artist and all the other citizens of Illéa are also limited to their caste. But for thirty-five girls, they have an opportunity to escape the rigid caste system, live in a gorgeous palace with maids at their hands, and compete for the heart of the handsome Prince Maxton. This opportunity is called the Selection. Most girls would die to be chosen, but not America. She was happy. She loved singing and she didn’t care for riches and pretty dresses. And she had her secret love, Aspen. Even though Aspen was a Six, she still wanted to be with him and marry him. But through her mom’s nagging and because of the very slim chance of her getting chosen through the lottery system to be part of the Selection, she applies. And miraculously she’s chosen. Her mom is ecstatic, her dad is proud, but America is competing for a crown she doesn’t want. Going to the palace, she has no intent of becoming the next Princess of Illéa. Then America meets Prince Maxon and realizes that he may be different then how he seems on TV. Throughout this novel, you will follow along with America Singer as she struggles through her issues with the other girls, fitting in, and who she truly loves.

The Selection is a fun, captivating, young adult page turner by Kiera Cass. I enjoyed this book because it was filled with twists and turns and I always wanted to know what was going to happen next. While I was reading it, it felt like I was in the world just watching a movie play out. This book is the first in the series, and I enjoyed those books as well. For fans of exciting romance novels, The Selection is a great read. I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.

Review Written by Sydney, 9th Grade

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Eleven is a futuristic novel that alters between a pre and post-apocalypse time period. After a deadly flu - called the Georgia Flu - has taken the world by surprise, only the very few mentioned in the novel are spared. After the outbreak, all electrical lines fail to work and the world falls into a dark silence. Decades later, the survivors of the flu find themselves rebuilding what is left of their hometown and create a small theatrical group called the "Traveling Symphony," which performs various works of Shakespeare. Interestingly enough, a blank spot remains in everyone's memories of the night of the outbreak. Over the course of the book, the theatrical group comes across various clues and together they will find out what exactly led to this disastrous event.

The book was a pleasure to read because of the multiple layers of suspense. Mandel uses the stories of several characters to build around the main idea, the outbreak of the Georgia Flu. Strangely enough, the plot of this book is much similar to the current events today, but written six years ago! Which is what drew my attention to this book in the first place.

I would recommend this book because of the interesting plot and the multiple settings in various time periods that gives each chapter a different story and its own uniqueness. However, I will have to admit that it will take some time getting used to the unusual way of presenting the story and the climax does come a bit slow.

Review Written by Cindy, 10th Grade

The Hate U Give Directed by George Tillman Jr

Starr Carter is an African-American sixteen-year-old girl who lives in Garden Heights with her father, mother, and two brothers. Garden Heights is not the safest neighborhood, which is why Starr’s mother insists that she and her siblings go to a school outside of their hometown. Gangs, violent shootings, and drug dealers are part of her black neighborhood. Outside of Garden Heights is Williamson Prep, a fancy high school in a rich suburban town; where Starr feels different from the other students. Starr stands between the two worlds of diversity, and feels obliged to act as two different people. But Starr's entire life changes when her childhood friend is shot by a white police officer. The film portrays Starr going through a journey of courage and bravery to finally meet her two worlds together.

 The Hate U Give is an inspiring film that explains the importance of equality between people of all color. It depicts the reality of discrimination and unjust police violence. This film is emotionally captivating to people of all races, gender, and background, discussing a worldwide problem that is current even today. Both the original novel and film communicate this issue with detail.

 Based on the novel by Angie Thomas
 Rated PG-13

 Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Soldier Island frequently took the spotlight on local papers. Notorious for being a location of luxury by the establishment of an American millionaire, eight citizens find themselves with a mysterious letter inviting them to the island. The invitation was peculiar and quite illegible, but the recipients fancied the idea of attending such a lush vacation. Traveling by car, carriage, and boat, Mr. Justice Wargrave, Miss Vera Claythorne, Miss Emily Brent, Phillip Lombard, Dr. Armstrong, General MacArthur, and Mr. Blore come to the island shortly after hearing the news. They expect the island to be grand and magnificent based on its reputation. However, the terrain looks to be ominous, surrounded by jagged cliff sides and the vast ocean. Upon their eerie arrival, the visitors meet Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, a couple hired to be the manor butler and housemaid. As time passes on Soldier Island, the absence of the unknown coordinator raises violence, suspicion, and doubt. Who exactly invited them?

 Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is an award-winning mystery novel that explores philosophies on murder, achieving justice, and punishing the guilty. The questions of who, where, and how remain as the novel progresses. Knowing that not everyone is making it out alive, readers are invested to solve the mysteries on Soldier Island before the grand reveal. In all, I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy thriller or mystery genres.

 Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade

A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) Directed by Naoko Yamada

Shouya Ishida is a carefree and reckless elementary school student who enjoys having fun with his friends. Shouya finds himself constantly bored until a new student, Shouko Nishimiya, joins his class. However, Shouko isn’t like the rest of the students. She can’t hear. Shouko communicates with her peers by writing phrases in a notebook, but as time passes, her classmates start to exclude her. Despite Shouko’s efforts to find friends, Shouya and his classmates continue to tease her, write mean comments, and break or throw her hearing aids. The constant bullying forces Shouko to transfer to another school. While Shouko’s mother informs the school about her daughter’s missing hearing aids, Shouya is blamed for the cause, abandoned by the classmates whom he once called friends. Shouya is bullied himself and goes through high school genuinely regretting his past. As Shouya learns to change his behavior, he experiences true friendship for the first time in his life.

A Silent Voice (Koe no Katachi) is a beautifully written Japanese-animation that follows its characters as they discover the meanings of friendship and kindness. The heartwarming story and visual execution makes the film extremely touching. Even to those who don’t particularly enjoy these specific genres, I would definitely recommend this film.

Based on the novel by Yoshitoki Oima
Not Rated

 Review Written by Isole, 8th Grade