Review of Confessions of a Murder Suspect, by James Patterson

The book "Confessions Of A Murder Suspect" is told in the POV of Tandoori (Tandy) Angel, only daughter of the infamous Angel Family. After her parents are found dead in the late hours of the night without any possible ways of break-in, Tandy and her siblings are labeled suspects. In order to find out who killed her parents, she takes the case into her own hands and finds out more about her family and herself than she anticipated. This book was definitely a hook from the start for me and took my mind through a tough process of trying to piece together evidence. Once you think you know who the killer is, it's crushed and a new prime suspect arises. If you are at the average reading level this book is a great read that uses pretty simple vocabulary in a sophisticated way.

~ Reviewed by a Homestead freshman

Spells, by Aprilynne Pike

Spells, the sequel to Wings, was a captivating story about a fairy who struggles to fit in and the understand the injustices of the human world around her, along with the ones of the fairy world,(Avalon) that she recently discovered she belongs to. Laurel tries to balance her life in Avalon and her life with her boyfriend David and her best friend Chelsea in the real world. She  is conflicted between choosing between Tamani a spring fairy, someone who has immensely helped Laurel become accustomed to the strange customs of Avalon, and the appeal of a normal life with David. As she tries to make the choice that will affect  the rest of her life, she battles with Barnes, a troll seeking vengeance, wishing to cause her mortal peril. Spells is a great mix of fantasy and action and perfectly balances to amazing literary aspects.

~ Reviewed by a Homestead freshman

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

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Bittersweet is the word that best describes a multitude of historical fictions like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. The phrase "Bittersweet like 75%" chocolate could most likely illustrate this wondrous book. One might describe that this novel is like a grey, gusty morning with a ray of sunshine peeking through dense clouds. Set in the early 1900s, the story describes a young girl named Francie Nolan who experiences a heart-wrenching yet jocund lifestyle in the Williamsburg slums of Brooklyn. The story centers more in Francie's teenage years during the soon-to-be-coming war. As she arrives to her adolescent years, she begins to realize that the world is flawed and dingy. Her world is moving faster than she can ever perceive. Weaved with family love and integrity, this novel has reminded readers of their own childhood bliss and family traditions. This story has also encapsulated the everyday objects as a reminder of what one perceived when one was young.

I would expressly recommend this inspiring book to anyone who loves historical fictions or just wants to seek a book out of their comfort zone. This is because this book holds as an enchanting novel that is replete of remarkably rich moments and trivial details. Like a fabric, this story is woven with a myriad of elements that is incredibly relatable and sublime.

It is also essential to recognize that the main character, Francie, could remind a reader of the familiar and pugnacious Anne of Anne of Green Gables and the quick-tempered Jo in Little Women. Thus, this book is one of those novels that no one should ever miss out.

The classic gem of the century...

~ Reviewed by Melody

Review of Twillight, by Stephanie Meyer

When Bella Swan moves to the tiny town of Forks, Washington, to live with her father, she falls head-over-heels in love with vampire Edward Cullen. Socializing with a family of vampires is obviously very dangerous, and the book becomes very suspenseful as we wonder whether Bella will survive even one year.

Bella is a well-developed character who doesn't have much trouble making you sympathize with her, even though you don't empathize. She has seemingly endless bad luck, but Edward always saves her just in time. However, sometimes you do get annoyed at her complete lack of self-confidence (she thinks she's ugly even though most of the boys at Forks High School want to date her).

Edward is like the complete opposite of Bella. Being a vampire, he is super strong, fast, smart, rich, and beautiful, and he knows it. He clearly makes other boys (possibly including male readers) jealous, though he doesn't socialize much with anyone except Bella and his vampire family.
Unfortunately, reading about Edward's actions can actually make you hate him sometimes. He's a very stubborn person, and although he always does what he believes is best for Bella, that's often not what Bella wants for herself. Feminists will definitely be irritated by the extent to which Bella lets Edward control her after they start dating.

Overall, this book is not a traditional vampire story. It puts much more focus on Bella's love for Edward rather than fighting vampires. So, if you are interested in reading a decently-written novel about young-adult love (or just fantasize about extremely hot boyfriends), you will love this book. However, toward the end there is a bit of exciting action and a few good surprises.

Scores:
for stereotypical teen girls:   5 / 5
for people looking for a good YA novel:  3.5 / 5
for serious feminists:  1 / 5

~ Reviewed by an HHS junior

Review of Brain Jack, by Brian Falkner

Brain Jack is a book set 20 years or so in future America, where video game addiction has become a serious epidemic and most are outlawed. Sam is the main protagonist in the story, a teenage boy with a talent for hacking. Him and his friend Fargas get their hands on some new technology called nervegear, which allows you to control an interface using your mind. Sam is recruited by the CDD, (cyber defense division) to fight cyber terrorists. During his first few days working at the CDD sam and his new friends dodge, tyler, and vienna find a new threat that endangers the entire world. I really enjoyed reading this book because it used really casual language and had elements of comedy spread out. You got the sense that the book didn't take itself too seriously, in the best sort of way. Alongside that it touched on some very interesting ideas about what is real. I would recommend this book for someone who enjoys action novels with casual language.

~ Reviewed by Jason C.

The List, by Siobhan Vivian

October is National Bullying Prevention Month  and there are many, many books that deal with bullying and its repercussions in high school. At its heart, bullying is about an imbalance of power, and the results of that imbalance is creatively explored in The List, by Siobhan Vivian. Every year at Mount Washington High School, an anonymous list is posted listing the prettiest and the ugliest girl in each class. No one knows who is responsible or exactly how the choice is made, but once the list is public, everyone views the girls selected through a new lens of admiration or disgust.
The List alternates focus between each of the eight girls on this year's list and how they react. Not all the "ugly" girls are loveless outcasts or even ugly, and some of the "pretty" girls find their inclusion to be a curse. As the year progresses, the school (students, teachers and especially those directly impacted by the List) begins to examine whether the List is a damaging tradition that must be abolished or whether the girls chosen have somehow brought it on themselves. An element of mystery, interesting character perspectives and a briskly entertaining writing style make this a quick and engaging read that leaves a lot to think about afterwards.