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

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Rachel Chu is invited by her boyfriend Nicholas Young to spend the summer in Singapore, where he grew up. When she arrives, she is overwhelmed by the mansions, private planes, and lavish designer clothes. “Rich” doesn’t even begin to describe the sheer wealth of Nick’s family.  However, Nick’s relatives see Rachel as an unsuitable match due to her middle-class status and fear that she is just looking for money. They devise a plan to end the relationship between Rachel and Nick. Eleanor, Nick’s mother, is appalled when she learns of Nick’s intentions to marry Rachel, and reveals that Rachel’s father is incarcerated in Mainland China in an attempt to destroy their relationship. Shocked at this sudden discovery, Rachel breaks up with Nick and accuses her mother of being a kidnapper. Her mother flies to Singapore to explain the truth to Rachel. Rachel reconciles with her mother and reunites with Nick.

Verdict: Overall, I enjoyed the book. There was a lot of amusing banter and lush descriptive passages. The drama and displays of ludicrous wealth made it quite entertaining. The plot line was exciting and it was a fun read!

Jackie M.