The house on Mango Street
Sandra Cisneros
2009
ISBN: 9780679734772
This book tells the story of Esperanza Cordero, a young girl growing up in the Hispanic quarter of Chicago, whose neighborhood is one of harsh realities and harsh beauty. Esperanza doesn't want to belong, not to her run-down neighborhood, and not to the low expectations the world has for her. Capturing her thoughts and emotions in poems and stories, she is able to rise above hopelessness and create a quiet space for herself in the midst of her oppressive surroundings. Esperanza's story is that of a young girl coming into her power, and inventing for herself what she will become.
Review by Kira E. High School
I've read this book called, "The House on Mango Street,” that is written by Sandra Cicneros. The book is about this girl named Esperanza, she and her family move into a new neighborhood and they settle in. Esperanza observes the neighborhood and also has nicknames for most of the neighbors. The house is tiny and a bit broken but her and her family make it work. She makes comparisons and slowly starts to feel a sense of belonging. My favorite part of the book is the ending. If you like books that show change and adaptation then you probably would like "The House on Mango Street” written by Sandra Cisneros.
The song of Achilles
Madeline Miller
2012
ISBN: 9780062060617
Patroclus, an awkward young prince, follows Achilles into war, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they have learned, everything they hold dear. And that, before he is ready, he will be forced to surrender his friend to the hands of Fate. Set during the Trojan War.
Review by Dedrich N. High School
In the book "The Song of Achilles," Madeline Miller transports readers to ancient Greece, where she reimagines the timeless epic of Achilles and Patroclus with breathtaking beauty and emotional depth. Through the eyes of Patroclus, Miller crafts a compelling narrative of friendship, love, and sacrifice amidst the backdrop of the Trojan War. Her lyrical prose and meticulous research breathe new life into familiar characters, infusing them with humanity and vulnerability. As the bond between Achilles and Patroclus deepens, so does the intensity of their trials and tribulations, culminating in a heart-wrenching climax that resonates long after the final page. "The Song of Achilles" is a masterpiece of storytelling that captures the essence of a legendary tale while offering a fresh perspective on its enduring themes of honor, destiny, and the power of love.
On tyranny : twenty lessons from the twentieth century
Timothy Snyder
2017
ISBN: 9780804190114
In previous books, Holocaust historian Timothy Snyder dissected the events and values that enabled the rise of Hitler and Stalin and the execution of their catastrophic policies. With Twenty Lessons, Snyder draws from the darkest hours of the twentieth century to provide hope for the twenty-first. As he writes, "Americans are no wiser than the Europeans who saw democracy yield to fascism, Nazism and communism. Our one advantage is that we might learn from their experience."
Review by Shawn S. High School
On Tyranny is a novel written by Timothy Synder featuring twenty lessons from the twentieth century on how to recognize, prevent, and break away from tyranny and tyrannical ideologies. The book features many examples taken from other books that speak on other ideologies or past mistakes and events that lead to tyrannical rulers or governments. These twenty lessons are lessons I believe should be thought about frequently and especially during political discussion. This book should be read by anyone who supports democracy and denounces tyranny and totalitarianism. This book can help identify the past repeating before it can be too late. I recommend this book to anyone interested in politics and anyone who wants to avoid fascism, communism, Nazisim, or any authoritarian totalitarian and tyrannical governments.
Maus : a survivor's tale
Art Spiegelman
2011
ISBN: 9780679406419
Maus is a haunting tale within a tale. Vladek's harrowing story of survival is woven into the author's account of his tortured relationship with his aging father. Against the backdrop of guilt brought by survival, they stage a normal life of small arguments and unhappy visits.
Reviewed by Shawn S. High School
MAUS I is the first in a two letter series written by art Spiegelman. Mause is also a graphic novel about Art's father, Vladek Spiegelman, and his experience and how he survived as a polish jew in world war two. Maus tells Vladek's story often from the point of view of Art, asking his father to tell him about his experience and his story. This book is a great look into the brutality and cruelness of world war two while conveying a personal attachment to the story and war. The characters are portrayed as animals, often different animals representing different nationalities. Maus I is only half of the story but I believe it is a great graphic novel for anyone trying to learn what being in world war two was like. It is an easy read that is relatively short. I recommend this book to any wanting an illustrated informative novel.
The midnight library
Matt Haig
2020
ISBN: 9780525559498
"'Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices... Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?' A dazzling novel about all the choices that go into a life well lived, from the internationally bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive and How To Stop Time. Somewhere out beyond the edge of the universe there is a library that contains an infinite number of books, each one the story of another reality. One tells the story of your life as it is, along with another book for the other life you could have lived if you had made a different choice at any point in your life. While we all wonder how our lives might have been, what if you had the chance to go to the library and see for yourself? Would any of these other lives truly be better? In The Midnight Library, Matt Haig's enchanting new novel, Nora Seed finds herself faced with this decision. Faced with the possibility of changing her life for a new one, following a different career, undoing old breakups, realizing her dreams of becoming a glaciologist; she must search within herself as she travels through the Midnight Library to decide what is truly fulfilling in life, and what makes it worth living in the first place." Provided by publisher.
Reviewed by Dedrich N. High School
In "The Midnight Library," Matt Haig crafts a poignant narrative that explores the depths of regret, the power of choice, and the search for meaning. The story follows Nora Seed, a woman who finds herself in a mystical library between life and death, where each book represents a different life she could have lived. As Nora navigates these alternate realities, she grapples with the profound questions of existence and happiness. Haig's prose is both evocative and empathetic, drawing readers into Nora's journey of self-discovery with its raw honesty and emotional resonance. Through its captivating premise and relatable characters.
"The Midnight Library" offers a powerful reflection on the importance of embracing life's uncertainties and finding solace in the pursuit of second chances.
Divergent
Veronica Roth
2012
ISBN: 9780062024039
In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomoly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.
Reviewed by Dedrich N. High School
The book "Divergent" by Veronica Roth is a heart-pounding dystopian adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Set in a future Chicago where society is divided into factions based on personality traits, the story follows Beatrice Prior as she discovers she doesn't fit into just one group. Roth crafts a vivid world filled with thrilling action sequences and thought-provoking moral dilemmas. The protagonist's journey of self-discovery and bravery resonates with readers, especially teenagers grappling with their own identity and place in the world. While some may find the romantic subplot a bit cliché, the fast-paced plot and strong character development make "Divergent" a captivating read from start to finish.
![The day the crayons quit [Braille]](https://secure.syndetics.com/index.aspx?type=xw12&client=jlibcatcons&isbn=9780399255373/LC.JPG)
The day the crayons quit [Braille]
by Drew Daywalt ; pictures by Oliver Jeffers
2015
ISBN: 9780399255373
When Duncan arrives at school one morning, he finds a stack of letters, one from each of his crayons, complaining about how he uses them.
Reviewed by Kira E. High School
I have read the book called The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Datwalt. The book is about some crayons writing to their owner asking to be used less or more. There are some cute illustrations with what the crayons look like and the things that they want to happen. My favorite part of the book is where Duncan, the crayons’ owner, uses almost all of the crayons for his assignment in school. His teacher gave him an A + and his crayons are happy. If you like fiction books then I would recommend The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Datwalt.