Category Archives: Reviewer’s Library Type

The Thing About Leftovers

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The cover of the book doesn’t begin to describe the story within. Following a middle school girl that has her own problems to deal with, it’s a story with depth hiding underneath the camouflage of a bright appearance. The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne followed Fizzy Russo, a girl with dreams of winning the Southern Living Cook-off. However, recent turmoil in her own family has her feeling like a leftover. Now she lives with her mom and attends a new school. There, she finds new friends in Miyoko and Zach, and along the way learns that sometimes things change, but it can be for the better. I enjoyed the realism and emotion in the story. It was very personal with how Fizzy felt about these events that were happening in her life, and I was swept up in the story immediately. My only frustrations were that it didn’t last longer! I would’ve enjoyed a much more closed resolution, but an open ending is always open to imagination. The conflict and setting were very relatable from a middle school standpoint. Divorce and moving are both very real events that can happen and affect students, especially in the middle school years. Overall, the pace of the story was great and I was left satisfied when I put the book down. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone who is passionate about a hobby or sport. Fizzy’s pursuit of her dreams are relatable to anyone who aspires to do the same, and her nonstop work can be an inspiration to those with their own ambitions. It was an entertaining read.

-Review by B.W.

League of Archers

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What really caught my eye was when the girl was telling the story to the little boy. She  said Robin Hood snuck into the archer shoot-out in disguise and didn’t get caught when he was only wearing a hood. This book is about a girl on the run after committing a crime she didn’t commit. It was really good. I really liked it when the girl told a story to the little boy when he was sick. I think for people woh are really into adventure books then this is a book for you.

-T.C.

The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy

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The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy. This book is a part two to the Pennyroyal Academy series and it’s filled with mystery, action, and plenty of magic. Evie starts out in a castle where she and her dragon family live. She has lost her father and dragon father for different reasons. She has gone to the Pennyroyal Academy to learn how to be a princess with magical powers. She gets strange warnings about how someone at the school is not who they seem and that someone is a traitor. She also has an official princess watching her and her classmates, and they are all in danger of being kicked out. This is a amazing book that keeps you wondering at times. I would recommend this book to people who like books with magic, mystery, action, and a bit of romance.

-D.K.

Sky Full of Stars

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The book is about a young girl and how she faces her challenges. The book is about the struggles of an African-American life during the time of oppression and inequality. The protagonist is a young girl who lives with her grandmother and experiences many challenges at this age, and witnesses things that change her perception of the world over time. She witnesses people her age also going through similar struggles and we get to view her thoughts and opinions and sometimes even fears. I thought that the book was a bit slow towards the beginning but once it picked up the pace it was super exciting and emotional. (Due to the fact this is based on a true story). I would recommend this book to those who really enjoy reading about black history and especially the hardships and what it took in order to get to the way things are now. Be wary that this is about the murder of a young boy named Emmet Till and this incident actually happened and isn’t fictional.

-I.D.

Width of the World

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Vega and her friends find themselves in True being chased by two maladons to get to safety but the adventure isn’t over. They find secrets and worse enemies than they could ever imagine. They make new friends and find old friends once lost. The Width of the World is an overall good book. I recommend it for anyone who wants a fiction book about adventures.

-Z.C.

Vampires on the Run

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Quinnie Boyd is once again faced with the possibility of solving a mystery. Her friend, Ella, has just welcomed her long-time family friends, to whom she refers as aunt and uncle, to her Maiden Rock, Maine home.  Aunt Ceil and Uncle Edgar Waterman are famous authors of the best seller Transylvanian Drip, the latest installment in their vampire novel series. This sleepy Maine town is excited to be hosting the famous vampire writers. Eccentric barely describes the looks and behaviors of the duo. Meanwhile another pair of odd individuals come to town for a fishing vacation and a new family with a teenage son relocates to Maiden Rock. Quinnie quickly makes friends with Dominic, the new kid, and the two of them become almost inseparable. They begin to notice mysterious occurrences that appear to be linked to Ella’s aunt and uncle.  In an attempt to prove Ceil and Edgar are real vampires, Quinnie and her friends discover another secret that threatens the safety of the citizens and visitors of Maiden Rock. A quirky story, this book will leave readers looking forward to the next Quinnie Boyd Mystery release.

Yours Truly

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Truly Lovejoy is back in this second installment of the Pumpkin Falls Mystery series. Readers do not need to have read book one, Absolutely Truly, in order to follow the storyline of this book.  The author references elements of book one, but provides context so book one details do not detract from this story. In the second book, Truly learns about her namesake and the history of the house she now calls home in Pumpkin Falls, New Hampshire. As the story develops, there are multiple mysteries that interconnect to reveal the rich history of the area and the founders of the town. Truly and her friends call themselves the Pumpkin Falls Private Eyes, and they work together to crack a maple syrup crime and settle a town feud. Along the way, Truly also investigates her family’s history, uncovering a local connection to the underground railroad and uses her quick wit to find her younger sister when she goes missing. With a complex mystery to solve, historically accurate details, and engaging and realistic family and friendship complications, this book will be a winner with mystery, historical, and realistic fiction readers.   

Bubonic Panic: When Plague Invaded America

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The book explained the Bubonic Plague, and how it happened really well. The author really went in depth on how the plague affected the world, how the rats had spread the disease, and how the scientists figured out how to deal with it.

The writing style the author had used was really interesting, one thing that confused me was the time jumps. The author skipped to different times in the book. It took me a while to figure out why I kept getting lost. So I had to go back and re-read some of the parts in the book, but I eventually figured it out. If you like science and/or history this book is definitely for you. Watch out for the time jumps though.

Z.S.

The Enemy Above: A novel of World War II

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It started as rumors that the Nazis were coming ,until the gunfire got louder and closer. On the run, being chased and hunted to be killed or captured after have to flee from their home. All for being born Jewish. What first caught my eye looking through the pile of books was the book cover. When I read the summary it sounded like a action packed story which is why I chose it. One thing I loved about the book was when it got into the action it was really good and every big moment connected to the others very well. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes books with real life facts in it but also somewhat fiction in the book.

W.G.

The Scourge

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Ani Mells falls from one small problem into an entirely different, huge problem.  After falling from a tree, she is taken into custody to be tested for The Scourge – the fatal and incurable disease sweeping through the land. Her best friend, Weevil, seeing her capture finds a way to join Ani.  Together they find themselves in a holding cell, waiting to be tested. Not new to close scrapes, the two escape. Unfortunately Ani is recaptured, tests positive, and is sent away to finish her days with other Scourge victims. Ani doesn’t know how to be a compliant, docile captive and Weevil finds a way to join Ani in captivity. Together, they plan to escape, disease and captivity.  During their time in the isolated Scourge colony, they begin to piece together the mystery of the disease, the care and the treachery of Governor Felling and the lengths to which she will go to remain in power.  Ani, a natural leader, along with Weevil, plot to unite the colonist and foil the Governor’s plan. The story is action packed and readers won’t want to put it down. Another hit by Jennifer A. Nielson.