Masquerade: A Blue Bloods Novel by Melissa De La Cruz
This is the second book in the series of novels, Blue Bloods. Here Schuyler Van Alen (pronounced Sky-ler) is on the hunt for her grandfather. She and her best friend Oliver must travel to Italy to find him. But back in New York, every teen vampire is getting ready for the 400 Ball and the masquerade party being held by Mimi Force. Will Schuyler find her grandfather? Is Mimi’s party going to be a real ball? And who’s this new character Kingsley Martin? Is he friend or foe? Just read the book to find out. Every series book must be good for them to make a series! The vampire and angel are pretty awesome, too! But if you love vampires and romance, and you are a fan of Vampire Diaries or Twilight, you should read this!
Reviewer: Jasmine Lopez, Grade 7

Blue Bloods by Melissa De La Cruz
The book is about teenagers that are now finding out that they are vampires, and they belong to a secret society called the Blue Bloods. Now with something preying on the Blue Bloods, it is up to them to find out what and who it is. And all the while living a rich and fabulous life in Manhattan. Secrets about living life as a vampire are unraveling and now they are left to deal with them. Blue Bloods is an awesome book. It has blood and fear wrapped up in glamour and glitz.
Reviewer: Alyssa Bradford, Grade 8

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
This book is about a young teenage orphan named Hattie Brooks. Hattie’s uncle passes along his claim in Montana to her when he died. Hattie thought she would be living a life of relaxation and glamour, but all that changes. Hattie has to learn to grow her own crops, find a job, pay bills, and fight a battle of racism against one of her best friends. But while doing all this, she makes many friends, learns life lessons, and experiences love and pain. Hattie has discovered that this move has taught her more than ever. Kirby Larson teaches rich life lessons, morals, and she even knows how to make it real, not with a fake “happy ever after.”
Reviewer: Alyssa Bradford, Grade 8

History of Rap and Hip-Hop by Soren Baker
This book is about the history of rap and hip-hop and how people express themselves through the music. It also tells what rap and hip-hop are all about and about some famous rappers and singers. I would recommend this book to all students who love rap music and hip-hop because it tells you everything about music and the people involved with it.
Reviewer: Ananyah Nailon, Grade 6

I was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Taylor
This book is about young Barbie Marks. Barbie’s mom, who was a supermodel and a pageant queen, wants her daughter to follow in her footsteps. The difference is, Barbie doesn’t want to be a model, she wants to be a photographer. One day when Barbie is in her backyard, she fins a fairy named Mab. Mab is feisty, loving, and spirited right from the start. She insults Barbie, but they turn out to be best friends. Even when the modeling world takes its toll on Barbie, Mab is there to help her find her true self and Mab helps others, too, along the way. Francesca writes a wonderful story that makes you laugh, cry, and want to read every word. She sends a message in this book which is to always believe in yourself.
Reviewer: Alyssa Bradford, Grade 8

Jerk California by Jonathan Friesen
This book is about a teenager named Sam who has Tourette Syndrome. He is constantly bullied in high school because of it. They call him twitch, jerky, freak—you name it. But then, out of the blue, his life takes a turn that leads him on a road trip from peaceful Minnesota he used to. . . to Jerk, California. I recommend this book to someone who’s been on a road trip. It also helps you to better understand Tourette Syndrome rather than thinking it’s funny or something to tease someone about.
Reviewer: Tiffany Blodgett, Grade 8

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Lovely Bones is a book about Susie Salmon, a 14 year-old girl who is killed by an estranged neighbor. Her death affects many people, including her family. Her mother leaves and her father has the clues to avenge the killer. Susie, a ghost, is affected by all that is happening, but she learns a lesson and learns that it is okay for her to move on. I would recommend this book to everyone. It is brilliantly written. Her style separates her from other writers putting her above everyone else!
Reviewer: Alyssa Bradford, Grade 8

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
The book Ice is about a girl who finds a magical bear when she was hunting. When the girl, Cassie, encounters the same polar bear, the bear brings Cassie to his Ice Castle. He tells Cassie about her missing mother and he makes a bargain with her—if Cassie agrees to marry the polar bear king, the same bear she’s met, he will free her mother from the land of the trolls. Cassie thought that being married was just saying a few words, so she agreed to marry the bear for her mother’s sake. Cassie grew to like the bear, however, and she wanted to stay and live with him. One day Cassie broke an important promise never to see the bear’s human face. The bear is taken away by the trolls. Now Cassie will do anything to get him back! I would recommend this book to people who like fantasy, adventure, and romance. This book has all three. There is also a lot of suspense as Cassie tries to save the bear.
Reviewer: Jezliah Pelayo, Grade 6

The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean
Sym and her Uncle Victor take a trip to the Antarctic. There they hope to find one of the eight wonders of the world, Sym’s hole. While Sym and her uncle both love the arctic, her uncle is obsessed. Sym’s got a secret too, she’s been hanging around with a ghost! Captain Oats is her best and beloved friend. But, will the truth behind the dead Captain Oates, her uncle, and Sym’s hole kill her? Or will she make it out alive and in one piece? Read and find out. I recommend this book because it’s super entertaining! I didn’t put the book down for a second! The characters in this book are fascinating and clever. If you love supernatural, adventure, romance, and mystery, this is the book for you!
Reviewer: Jasmine Lopez, Grade 7