June 1

‘TUCK EVERLASTING’ by Natalie Babbitt

“Don’t be afraid of death, be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever; you just have to live.”

Why doesn’t everyone face their fear?

Meet the Tucks. They look like a young family, well that’s what a girl named Winnie thinks until she finds out that they are over 100 years old.

This book will make you think twice about everything that you have either wanted to do or haven’t ever thought of doing. If you love science fiction, then Tuck Everlasting is definitely for you.

The book is about a ten-year-old girl named Winnie. She doesn’t like her life. Her family is very strict and don’t let her go out of the gate. One day she heads off into the woods and meets a boy named Jessie who was drinking from a spring that apparently makes you immortal. Winnie is kidnapped by Jessie, his mother and brother. She doesn’t know what to do. She’s scared, until she gets to know the Tucks and realises that they are all very kind. Jessie is 17 and he finds himself having feelings for Winnie, therefore he gives her some water from the spring and said “drink this when you turn 17 so we can be together forever”. Winnie thinks about the offer but doesn’t ever drink. She wanted to live her life and not be afraid of death.

You definitely must read this book if you are 10+ however I don’t recommend this book to 9- as there is violence and can be boring and have a bad influence on them.

I would rate this book 3 stars out of 5, The book got my attention at the start and finish. I lost interest in the middle but who knows? Tuck Everlasting might be for you.

Nicholas E, Year 8.

June 16

‘Six Impossible Things’ by Fiona Wood

Six impossible thingsIn ‘Six impossible things’ by Fiona Wood, courage is the main emotion that fourteen year old nerd-boy Dan Cereill ( the main character ) expresses. He is the biggest sweet heart who has six things that he has to do to set himself right for life.

The story is mainly set at home with Dan, his mum and Estelle, but it is also set at school. Dan is a smiley boy and not much seems to make him annoyed or worries him except the girl of his dreams, Estelle. He makes her out to be one of the most beautiful things on earth. He is going through a tough time in his life finding out that his dad is gay and that is tough on a teenager or anyone. Estelle? Well, she lives next door to Dan . She usually fights with her mum, and is trying not to believe that Dan has the biggest crush on her in the whole world. Dan’s mum doesn’t really seem to be coping with the whole ‘husband is now gay’ thing and keeps telling Dan stories about when times were good.

Dan’s mum decides to move away to try and hide the pain. They end up finding a house that an old lady they knew passed away in. Dan is being constantly bullied by this group of teenagers at school whilst he is falling madly in love with Estelle, of which Estelle has no idea of at all.

I liked this book a lot because it was interesting and very appealing to me and it is something that I would read. It was a bit romantic and all about Dan and what he wanted for his life which made me want to keep reading. I would recommend this book to anyone in high school, boy or girl. It is a very good book that mainly girls would enjoy.

Madison M.

June 9

‘Ruby Red’ by Linzi Glass

ruby redRuby Red is a book that introduces us to the world of racism and poverty in South Africa during the time of Apartheid. Ruby’s family own and operate an illegal art gallery whilst being monitored by undercover police. When Ruby’s mother, Annabel, holds a big art exhibition including black African art, everything starts getting out of hand.

Ruby Winters lives two lives. One as an ordinary school prefect and the other as an owner of an illegal art gallery that nurtures African artists with potential. Ruby falls for an African boy,  which then leads to separation from her friends and she begins to be harassed. My favourite character is Julian. He is an inspiring artist. He is physically and mentally strong, wise and caring. He demonstrates determination and hope.

The book Ruby Red really intrigued me because it is a story that demonstrates the hardship and adversity of the African race. Linzi Glass created an engaging storyline and interesting characters. Also, the book shows examples of racist people. A big issue in the book is that people label a group based on race. Not all Africans are thieves. Like Julian, some Africans are inspiring artists. I have learned that everybody should begin to understand each other and unite as one.

I believe anyone between the age of 12-30 would love this book. Young teens would be fascinated by the thrilling double life Ruby lives and adults would be fascinated by the truth of reality. I also loved the theme of respect. Ruby Winters displaying respect to every race makes me happy. I rate the book Ruby Red 4 out of 5 because it gave us insight on real life issues such as racism and poverty, yet it still maintained a brilliant plot that kept me thrilled the whole way. If you liked this book, I recommend another book written by Linzi Glass titled The Year The Gypsies Came.

Ryan T, Year 8

November 30

‘Before I Die’ by Jenny Downham

Before_I_dieTessa has just found out that she has a couple of months to live and there is only so much she can do in that very short time. Before I Die by Jenny Downham is an exceptional novel with a great plot and interesting characters.

Tessa is a sixteen year old student who has leukaemia. She writes a list of ten things she wants to accomplish before she dies. Tessa finds out that the little things matter the most, like holding your dad’s hand, talking to your brother and hugging your best friend. The characters in the novel go hand in hand with each other, creating a real life atmosphere making you feel like you’re involved in the story. Zoey, Tessa’s best friend, was a big part of the novel, showing bravery even though she has a few troubles herself, which you can see in the book. Another stand out character is her father, going through it all and trying to find a cure for his daughter’s troubles.

I loved this book because it made me stop and think of the little things. Even though the book showcases death and dying, it shows how important life really is. This is a life-affirming and uplifting novel which made me wanting to race to the finish. Jenny’s writing was so powerful and it created real atmosphere whilst reading the book. I would recommend this story to mature teenage girls and adults as it has scenes that young readers will perhaps not understand. This is a very moving book and very effective for readers.

Erica A. Year 9

……..

“I wish I had a boyfriend. I wish he lived in the wardrobe on a coat hanger. Whenever I wanted, I could get him out and he’d look at me the way boys do in films, as if I’m beautiful.”

― Jenny Downham, Before I Die

Months before you die, would you make list of things you want to complete? A bucket list? This is the question facing Tessa in Jenny Downham’s novel Before I Die.

This book was set in a small house in Britain. Before I Die is a compelling novel which follows a teenager who has been diagnosed with cancer. She has created a list that she wants to finish before her time’s up.

Tessa, the main character, is a teenager who is struggling with cancer. Her most important thing in the world is love. On the journey Tessa takes, she explores new people and breaks the law; things a normal teenager would not do. Will Tessa complete the list in the couple of months before her time’s up? Does her time even come?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as it always kept me wanting to read and I ended up never putting this book down. The story line is really interesting for all audiences and would come across really enjoyable to most teenagers as this story can relate well to teenagers going through a lot.

Jenny Downham’s characters seem really easy to relate to and kept my full attention through the whole book. Before I Die is a fantastic movie I would recommend for ages between 13- 20, but really would suit any gender and any age.

BIANCA E., Year 9

November 25

‘Shiver’ by Maggie Stiefvater

ShiverTo be honest with you, I haven’t really ever read any of Maggie Stiefvater’s work, not until now!

We were all given books to read and fortunately I was given ‘Shiver’ and I think it was one of the best books I have ever read. In this wonderful, amazing book there are two main characters, who pretty much made up of the book, Grace Brisbane and Sam Roth. Sam for six years has been watching and waiting for this one special girl Grace but not as you would expect. Sam when he was seven years of age was violently bitten by wolves and the toxic venom caused him to change into a werewolf as well. After Grace was dragged off her swing set and attacked by wolves he has been waiting for her to change so he can help her settle in but she never did. On the seventh year of waiting for Grace to change, they finally meet in person after Sam got shot in the neck and out of adrenaline changed into a human. Ever since they met they have fallen deeper in love but time is running out for Sam and they need to find a cure before it is too late.

For me, once you start reading this book it would be very difficult to put it down. I don’t think much young people could relate turning into a werewolf in the winter but young people can relate to the love and life problems that occur in the book. I would recommend this book to any teenage girls, who love heart-filled spectacular books. I can guarantee that this book will be one of your favourites books of all time.

Riley K, Year 9

……..

I read this book and almost cried because it is beautifully written.

A little town called Mercy Falls is on the edge of a forest where the wolves live, including Grace’s favourite wolf. They normally hang out in Grace’s house or in the parking lot at Grace’s high school. She sees them when Sam drops her off to school and when picks her up as school finishes.

Grace is your everyday teenage girl. From my point of view, I don’t find anything special about her. She has the teenage sense of humour and an obsession with coffee. And then there is Sam; he is Grace’s ‘True Love’ and ‘her wolf’. At first, he is charming and then witty, then shy. He keeps on being shy for too long and then at the end of the book he starts to let Grace in and he really became Sam.

Sam doesn’t let anything go lightly and thinks about everything thoroughly, not to mention the flow of music lyrics forming in his brain at every situation.

My favourite character would probably be Isobel. She is the rich girl you would think was not a nice person, which is true at the start of the story, or at least that’s how the author lets her seem to be. But at the end of the book she helps Grace and Sam, biting her tongue the whole time. She is sassy and puts a kick into the story.

They mainly mention Beck in memories but he appears in person during the middle of the novel. Beck is the closest thing Sam has to a father. He is responsible and takes care of every wolf in the pack.

Lastly, Jack Culpeper is Isobel’s brother and is known to be dead at the start of the book but actually is going through the transition of a werewolf. He is cocky, arrogant and has no control over his temper and wolf form.

Grace never felt like she fitted in: quiet, sweet, obedient Grace.

What she did feel, it was when she felt the pull to the woods next to her house, but most of all, the lure and longing of ‘her wolf.’ Her life and love life changes when a shooting occurs in the forest. The love that blossoms when this boy enters her life is too much to let him turn back into a wolf so she tries to find a cure for his wolf side.

This book is beautifully written in the way that the characters are explained. You always know what’s going on in both of the main characters’ heads because the author frequently tells the story from two points of view.

I also love the plot. It has so many questions that get tied in at the end and it made me want to read the other books in the series.

I would recommend this to all teenage girls who love a good old romance fantasy. It will make your heart stop. It has a bit of humour, mystery, fantasy and a lot of love.

Emma J, Year 9

November 25

‘Last Chance’ by Sarah Dessen

Last chanceShe is the girl who didn’t fit in and has to spend a summer in a town in the middle of nowhere with a weird aunty she has only met once. Struggling with body image Colie is thrown into the deep end of growing up with a distant, famous mother. Can she make her life her own?

The story is set in the town of Colby, a small town where everyone knows everyone and at the centre is the Last Chance Diner.

Nicole, or Colie as everyone knows her, is a 14-year-old fitness fanatic because her mum is the famous Kiki Sparks, aerobics extraordinaire. Colie has to spend the summer in Colby with her Aunt Mira, an eclectic card writer who lives by herself with her cat Norman. Mira also lives with a renter called Norman, an artist with dad problems. While in Colby, Colie befriends the waitresses of the Last Chance, Isabel and Morgan. Isabel is an opinionated free spirit and Morgan is engaged to baseball player Mark and always does everything right.

The story starts by Colie taking the train to Colby and saying goodbye to her mum at the train station. During the summer Colie gets a job at the Last Chance and experiences things she never had in regard to growing up, meeting guys and becoming comfortable in her own skin. She helps her friends go through some very rough times bringing them closer together and creating a summer they will never forget.

I liked this book because it has a relatable story line to many girls that would read the book in becoming self aware, making friends and dealing with bullies. It expresses that when you are feeling down you should talk to someone who is close to you because they may have had to deal with the same problem before and together you can get through it.

I would recommend this book to girls from the age of 10 as many at this age will be coming into contact with the struggles described in the book at this age.

Charlotte TH, Year 9

……..

This story is about an attitude-filled teenage girl named Colie, whose mum becomes famous after releasing a fitness programme. She and Colie lose a lot of weight from what they call the ‘fat years’ where they travelled from place to place trying to survive with little money. Colie is not excited when she finds out she has to move to a new town for the summer and stay with her strange Aunt, whilst her mum is having fun on her world tour. Colie makes friends for the first time in her life and transforms as a person, with some complicated romance and mean girls along the way.

I liked this book as it was interesting and got you hooked to find out what exciting things Colie will do next. I would recommend this book to teenage girls around the age of about 13-16.

Claire year 9

November 24

‘The Wrong Boy’ by Suzy Zail

wrong boy“Being kissed by Karl Jager was devastating. And beautiful. War makes you do crazy things.”

Set amid the gruesome horror of the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, World War II, The Wrong Boy tells the story of a forbidden and secret love between a young Jewish girl, Hanna, and the German son of a Nazi commander, Karl.

Hanna Mendel is a very talented teenage pianist from Budapest, Hungary who dreamed of becoming a famous concert pianist. Being a Jew, she had been living in a ghetto until her family was rounded up and sent to the concentration camp. Her father was separated from them upon arrival, which caused her mother to become mentally ill. Her mother was later also taken away. Hanna’s sister became sick, refusing to eat the food. An opportunity arises for Hanna when she has the chance to play the piano for the camp commander. She jumps at the opportunity.

Whilst Hanna is playing for the commander, she meets his son, Karl. Initially she doesn’t like Karl however over time she realises he is not the person she initially thought he was. They develop feelings for each other against all odds.

I really enjoyed this book because it felt real. This story could have really happened and I felt sympathetic to the characters’ situations. The book was accurate in its historical accounts of World War II and living conditions in the concentration camps. Young adults of my age haven’t really read many books that are set in this era so it was educational as well as an entertaining read.

I would recommend this book to anybody young or old who enjoys a love story or story of times of war. It was an easy read and moved along at an easy pace.

Tasmin C., Year 9

……..

The Wrong Boy by Suzy Zail is a story about a teenage girl named Hanna who lived in a poor town with her older sister Erika and their parents. During World War II the Nazis decided to displace all Budapest Jews from their homes and send them to another place called Auschwitz.

When Hanna, Erika and their mother were collected from their home, their father is also separated from them. A short while after, Hanna’s mother begins to go mentally insane and is taken away from Hannah and Erika, leaving both the girls to slowly starve to death, until Hanna receives an opportunity to become the commander’s pianist, which then helps to keep Hanna and Erika alive, as food is given to Hanna. As Erika is becoming more ill everyday, Hanna becomes more and more desperate to achieve her goal. When Hanna gets chosen to become the commander’s pianist she begins to gain extra food for her sister and herself until she begins to notice the commander’s son Karl.

Karl is a handsome boy who is completely unaware of anything around him including Hanna’s existence. Hanna is disgusted at Karl as she begins to think to herself that Karl is a lazy, good for nothing young boy who doesn’t care about the Jews his father is killing. Karl starts to notice Hanna as he sits and draws while Hannah plays the piano. As Hanna spends more time in the commander’s house she begins to notice more things, not only about the house but about Karl too. Before Hanna realises, she has fallen in love with the wrong boy.

I would recommend this book to young teenagers as it is a love story with historical events in it and would it relates to a younger audience.

I would rate this book a 4/5 stars as it is filled with detail and depth which is shown through the characters, story line and setting of the novel. This novel will leave you wanting to know more and more as you keep on reading, making it an exciting story.

Tahlia, Year 9

……

“Being kissed by Karl Jager was devastating. And beautiful. War makes you do crazy things.”

Hanna, a 15 year old talented pianist, lived in a small middle class ghetto with her mother, father and older sister, Erika. All of the Budapest Jews are collected and sent away to Auschwitz, separating Hanna, Erika and their mother from their father. The Nazis begin to strip the Jews of everything, causing their mother to go mentally ill to the state where they had to take her away from her daughters. With Hanna’s older sister, Erika, slowly starving to death, Hanna gets given the opportunity to audition to become the commander’s pianist to score some extra food to keep her sister alive. Hanna is more than desperate to be chosen, with her sister becoming more and more sick every day and the loss of both of her parents.

When she finally gets picked to play piano for the commander, Hannah is ordered to arrive at his headquarters to sit and wait quietly until he feels like listening to music. It was more than she expected, not in a good way either. She began to get extra food for herself and her sister secretly, and all seemed to finally become slightly bearable until Hanna begins to notice the commander’s son, Karl, living with his father. Karl is a handsome young boy who seems to be completely disinterested in Hanna’s existence and all of his surroundings. Hanna then develops a burning hatred for the boy who just sits there and does nothing. He does nothing to help, nothing to help the people that his father is killing. Karl just sketches on his expensive note pad with an expensive pen as he listens to Hanna cautiously playing on the piano.

The more time that Hanna spends in that house, the more things she notices. More secret things. Is Karl just more than just a pretty face? Is he more than what she thinks he is? Before Hanna knows it, she had fallen in love. Fallen in love with the wrong boy.

I recommend this book to teenagers aged 12+ since the moral and the wording of this story would be hard to understand and to relate to with a younger audience.

I’d rate the book a 4 out of 5 stars. It is a brilliantly worded piece. It has a lot of detail in the characters and the theme/setting of the book. It’s definitely one to draw you in and make you come back for more.

By Isabella N. Year 9

November 24

‘Six Impossible Things’ by Fiona Wood

Six impossible thingsHave you ever liked a girl so much that you thought it was impossible to ever talk to her and even be in a relationship with her? Dan Cereill has to deal with moving houses, new school hell, a mother with a wedding cake business that is failing, a dad that is gay, and a crush on the girl next door. At the moment his life is a mess, but he forgets about all his problems, and just narrows it down to just six impossible things.

I really liked this book because of the main character Dan Cereill. He dealt with his problems well, and wasn’t too dramatic about it all. I like how he thought it was impossible to do the Six Impossible Things but he was determined to do them and make things right.

I recommend this book to teens and young adults between the age of 12-20 who are interested in love stories. This book is a great example of love and is truly enjoyable for everyone. I would rate the book ‘Six Impossible Things’ 4 out of 5 stars.

Julius D, Year 9.

……..

Meet fourteen year old nerd boy, Dan Cereill. He seems like he is not quite coping as his mother has a failing wedding cake business, a straight out gay dad and did I mention his impossible crush on the hot girl next door, Estelle. Does this excellent novel sound like a read to you? I’d say that if you’re a teenager and into comedy and romance this is just perfect read for you!

The novel is set in Adelaide, Australia where Dan must adjust to moving houses and new school hell. As you can see, Dan has a lot of stress on his hands so he decides to make a list of six impossible things to do:

  1. Kiss Estelle
  2. Get a job
  3. Cheer my mother up
  4. I don’t want to be a complete loser at my new school
  5. Should talk to my father when he calls
  6. Figure out how to be cool

For most people, doing these things would be quite simple but not for Dan Cereill. The main characters in this novel are Estelle, Dan and Dan’s mother. Estelle is a funky and smart girl that Dan can’t get over. Dan is lovable and funny and is crushing hard on the girl next door. Dan’s mum is a charming and loving parent who is struggling at the moment.

I was really engaged with this novel as it was action packed, amusing, crazy and romantic. I couldn’t put it down. Overall I would rate this book “Six Impossible Things” an 8/10, as it truly is one of my favourite reads. To any young readers out there I would strongly suggest this novel.

Kai, Year 9

November 20

‘You Against Me’ by Jenny Downham

You against meWould you seek revenge if another guy hurt your sister? Right? You wouldn’t just sit back and let him get away with it, would you? Would you come to your brother’s defense for committing the assault?

This captivating book is set in a small town two hours out from London, Norfolk in England. Mikey McKenzie is an 18-year-old boy who tries desperately to keep his family intact. He is crazy about the protection of his younger siblings, Holly, 8, and Karyn, 15. He cooks, cleans, and takes care of his sisters as well as having another life outside of the house. Their mother spends most of the time in her bedroom recovering from a hangover. So, when Ellie comes home claiming that Tom Parker raped her, he’s not a happy man. Instantly, he seeks revenge.

Mikey’s mission is to bring down Tom Parker. Just when he thought nothing would stop him, love got in the way…

This book really appealed to me as the author, Jenny Downham, wrote it with such passion. She described the characters, settings and what was happening in the scenes so clearly that I could visually paint a picture of what was happening in my head. You could say the storyline grabs you like a hook and pulls you deep into the story, keeping you wondering what’s going to happen next. The progression of the story was perfect, with new twists and problems making sure I had my full attention on the book. I was crazily engaged and glued to this novel. Just how the author wrote the story switching between the two perspectives of Mikey’s and Ellie’s life made the story captivating. If you liked reading the book, ‘Before I Die’ by Jenny Downham, you will most probably enjoy this book.

I would have to recommend this book to people of various ages who are interested in reading heart-filled and romantic novels. This would be a great read for anyone aged fourteen and upwards. I’d rate this book ‘ You Against Me’ 4 out of 5 stars.

‘JIORDANA P. YEAR 9’

……..

“Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.”

This is true for Mike, who was dreaming of revenge because Tom assaulted his sister. The mission of Mike McKenzie is to bring down Tom Parker for ruining his sister’s childhood. But he didn’t know that something would get in the way of his plan and change his vengeful mission.

The main characters in the book are Mike McKenzie, Tom Parker, Ellie Parker. Tom is a teenager who loves parties, drinking and smoking. Mike McKenzie is an overprotective brother to his sister and family, trying to fix his family problems. Tom’s sister, Ellie, believes that she knows a lot about her brother but doesn’t know he is keeping secrets.

There are many reasons why I liked You Against Me, including the fact that it was dramatic and always kept me on the edge wanting to read more.

I would recommend this book You Against Me to young adult female readers who enjoy confronting issues about family and teenagers falling in love.

Zara, Year 9

……

Would you seek revenge if another guy assaulted your sister? Would you come to your brother’s defense if he were convicted of an assault he said he didn’t make? This is the dilemma Mickey Mackenzie and Ellie Parker face in their attempt to seek justice for their siblings.

Mikey Mackenzie is an 18-year-old guy desperately trying to keep his family together. With his father nowhere to be seen and his 15 year old sister Karyn claiming she has been raped, he has to step up, provide the family with an income, keep his mother sane, take care of his younger sisters, and be the man of the family.

Ellie Parker is a 15-year-old girl desperately trying to live a normal life even after her brother was accused of sexual assault. Coming from a well-known wealthy family, her brother Tom’s accusation is the talk of the town. Ellie is trying her best to stick by her family and make sure her brother doesn’t go to jail, but after she finds out Karyn is no longer attending school Ellie becomes uncertain. Does she know Tom as well as she thought?

When Ellie and Tom meet, an undeniable and completely unexpected chemistry forms between the two. Mickey and Ellie are complete opposites but seem to find many similarities in each other, the main being that both of their families are falling apart because of the others, and that they are both falling for one another. But what will happen if anyone finds out? Will their love be strong enough to keep them together throughout the toughest times? Or will it all be too much?

The book ‘You Against Me’ is very well written and captivates the reader from the very start. Set in Britain, the book focuses on many issues relevant to teenagers today. It keeps you wondering from start to finish about the common but unrecognised crime of rape, endless drama, and the constant surprises. ‘You Against Me’ captures your attention and is the kind of book you could sit down and read for hours on end. I enjoyed how the book told the story from two different points of view and I loved the mystery the book created. I would recommend this book to any teenager or young adult, as it is very relevant and appealing to this age category.

If this sounds like the kind of book you would enjoy reading, I would definitely recommend it. I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Mikayla S, Year 9

November 16

‘Ruby Red’ by Linzi Glass

ruby redDo you enjoy reading romantic romance novels? Novels filled life and suspense? Then Ruby Red is a fantastic option for you.

Ruby Red is about a 17-year-old, girl named Ruby whose parents treat everyone of all races equally. Ruby becomes close to a character called Julian. She falls deeply in love with this character. He is a blue-eyed African. This is not acceptable and people disapprove of her love for Julian. This caused many problems in the story such as her mum helping ‘black’ people show their love and passion for art and her dad helping the Africans break out of jail.

I enjoyed and loved that I could relate to other teenagers in a different society as well as the heart-warming storyline and the themes in this book. This I feel is an easy read except for some scenes, which made it a bit more difficult to picture the image in my head.

I recommend this book to teenage girls between the ages of 12-18, because I feel anyone younger would not understand the meaning of this book and anyone older would not connect with the characters and storyline as much. This book is for people who like exciting stories with a bit of romance. Personally, as a teenage girl, I can relate to some of the topics mentioned and overall the whole idea of this book interested me.

You have to read this book, especially if you love romance with suspense. It’s a great book as teens can relate to scenarios mentioned in this book. I rate it 4/5 stars.

By Grace, Year 9

……

If you enjoy reading romantic novels filled with heartache and suspense that make you feel like you can relate to the story, then I suggest you read Ruby Red.

Ruby, the main character, is a 17-year-old girl whose family treats everyone with equality and respect. Julian, a dark-skinned blue-eyed African sends Ruby head over heels for him. Many people disapprove of this love, which causes many problems throughout this story. Ruby’s mum helps dark people express their love for art and her dad ends up helping the Africans out of jail.

I loved how relatable this book was for teenagers, especially in our society. It also included a very influential message. You don’t have to be the best reader to read this book. I found it was an easy read and very easy to understand. There were a couple of scenes in this book that were very busy and had a lot going on which made it a bit harder to comprehend.

I’d recommend this book to teenage girls between 12-19, as younger girls would not be able to understand the storyline or message as well but any older I believe would not be able to connect as much to this book or the characters’ personalities. This book is overall very exciting and makes you want to read more. I also really like this book personally as I feel I can connect easily to the storyline and there’s always something happening, which keeps it interesting. I would rate this book a 4/5, as it includes, heartache, suspense, romance and is relatable.

Chloe, Year 9

……

If you love a forbidden love story with adventure in it I suggest you read Ruby Red by Linzi Glass.

Ruby is a white girl who lives with her family in Johannesburg in the town of Seweto where there is hate and anger by ungrateful people. Ruby is a popular girl who is trying to fit in. But behind that, Ruby isn’t who everyone thinks.

Ruby suddenly falls in love with Johann who is African. It is forbidden that black and whites have a connection.

The main characters in the book are Ruby, Johann and the mother Annabelle. Ruby is kind, loving and stands up for what she thinks is right. Her mother Annabelle owns the art gallery and treats the black and white with the same respect. She doesn’t judge. Johann is charming, kind and handsome. That plays a major role in the book.

I enjoyed this book because it teaches you to have respect for others and not judge them. This is a different book from any other book as it talks about the life of blacks and whites and how it’s not respectful to treat people differently. As for Ruby’s family, her family treats both of them with the same respect and don’t judge anyone.

I recommend this book to teenage girls of ages 12-17, as it is based on romance and adventure. Under the age of 12 might not understand the meaning of the story.

In conclusion, Ruby Red is a great book to read and it talks about the history, love and adventure between the blacks and the whites.

Charlie, Year 9

November 13

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

17878931“ I am a red girl in a sea of silvers and I cannot afford to feel sorry for anyone, least of all the son of a snake.”

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard is an electrifying debut novel that merges the boundaries between fantasy power, gripping action and forbidden love and taking the wonderful world of YA by storm.

Red Queen takes place in a dystopian world divided by blood – red or silver. The Silvers are blessed with god-like supernatural powers and live in the lap of luxury while the Reds are commoners stricken by poverty living in the shadows of the elite. Mare Burrow is a 17-year-old Red girl, but in an extraordinary situation discovers that regardless of the colour of her blood, she is gifted with abilities that not even Silvers possess.

Victoria Aveyard writes to the beat of her own drum, every beat being a heart-stopping twist that will leave you on the edge of your seat in danger of a heart-attack. Throughout these twists and turns the main character, Mare, was such a pleasure to see grow and unravel from the beginning to the end. Character development in Red Queen was one of its best attributes as each one of the characters had their own very special personality and story.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard has an exceptionally wide range of genres, dystopian worlds, gripping action, forbidden romance, betrayal, fearless plot twists and fights scenes as good as that of the Avengers, making this book readily available to absolutely anyone. It will make hard-core fantasy addicts weep with triumph and delight.

Red Queen will give you a rollercoaster of emotions that will leave you in a mess of tears or a heart attack of joy. In a wonderful world of betrayal against betrayal, Reds against Silvers, prince against prince and Mare’s heart against Mare’s head, it doesn’t get better than this. If I have said anything that has given you shivers down your spine, read this one of a kind book and “We will rise up, Red as the dawn.”

I give Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard a 5 out of 5 stars.

By Bronte, Year 9

 

November 13

‘The Fault in Our Stars’ by John Green

The fault in our stars“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”

John Green has written some of the best books that have been published. As well as this book he has also written books such as Looking for Alaska and Paper Towns. This particular book is mainly based around two main characters called Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters. Hazel Grace has been diagnosed with lung cancer. When she starts going to a support group she meets a guy named Augustus Waters. At first they don’t see eye to eye on everything but as the book progresses, they begin to feel very fond of each other and begin to realise that they have similar interests and life goals.

‘“I’m on a roller coaster that only goes up,” he said. 
“And it is my privilege and my responsibility to ride all the way up with you,” I said.’

I found this a very intriguing book because when you start reading it, it’s incredibly difficult to put it down. Some of the scenes in this book very much relate to younger people and issues that they are faced with, which is a good way to get people’s attention. In my opinion, John Green is one of the best authors that you will come across because his books remind people that not everyone is as they first appear to be, and that if you look deeper and get to know them better, you may find yourself meeting a whole new person. I would highly recommend this book to young women from the ages of 12-20 and especially if you enjoy a good heart-filled, edgy novel. Even if you’re not a reader you should give this book a try. I rate this book five out of five stars and guarantee you will love it as much as I do.

~Emma H, Year 9

……..

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep; slowly then all at once.”

Meet Hazel Grace Lancaster. She is 16 and affected by one of the worst diseases on the planet: cancer. Diagnosed with an untreatable form of thyroid cancer at the age of thirteen, which had since spread to her lungs causing them to occasionally flood with fluid, the condition has made breathing a problem without the assistance of her oxygen tank, which she called Phillip. Hazel described her condition as, “My lungs suck at being lungs.”

Hazel doesn’t attend school and is diagnosed with depression by her doctor, due to the fact that she barely leaves the house, eats little and reads the same books over and over. Her doctor also insists that she visits a cancer support group to make friends. This is where she meets Gus, who is also a 17-year-old cancer survivor with humour and a lot of love to give. After they meet, they fall hopelessly in love with one another and from then on is a mystery for you to discover.

This book is a fictional book full of romance and adventure of two love-struck cancer survivors living their lives to the fullest. I find this book a great read due to the fact it teaches you how precious life and love are. Also it shows that life is unfair in many ways and we need to push through even if you have no hope. I found it an incredibly hard book to put down and I am in love with John Green’s other books, including Looking for Alaska. I recommend it to mostly teenage girls, due to the fact that it is more of a romance novel. I rate The Fault in Our Stars 4 out of 5 stars.

Jess.R, Year 9

……..

“ Some infinites are bigger than others”.

Cancer is such a dreadful disease and an emotionally draining experience. The fault in our stars is set in a small town in Indiana. This novel is about teens suffering from illnesses that meet at a support group each week. One week a new member joins the group and this is the start of when the two main characters fall in deep unconditional love.

This book is very well structured with realistic aspects, which create an engaging story line to follow. The Fault In Our Stars is about a Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl suffering from lung cancer, who has a love for a certain book named ‘Imperial affliction’. Hazel meets a cancer survivor named Augustus Walters at a local support group called ‘The Literal Heart of Jesus’. This support group is for teens suffering from an illness which prevents them from having a normal life. This book is about Hazel and August’s emotionally insightful journey together. John Green creates a story filled with romance, bravery, friendship, quirkiness, excitement and emotional conflict, bringing laughter and tears to the reader. The author uses a great range of dialogue as well as descriptive and poetic language. This makes the book full of depth and intensity, which comes as an easy read.

In conclusion I believe The Fault In Our Stars is perfect easy read for female teenagers who love a good romantic, heart-filled book with a pinch of adventure. This book is about the story of two cancer patients who go on a wonderful journey. This book will bring laughter and tears to the reader.

Tiana, Year 9

……..

‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is a novel by author John Green. The story follows the main character, sixteen-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster, who battles with thyroid cancer. Thyroid cancer develops when the cells of the thyroid gland grow and divide in a disorderly way. Not only is Hazel trying to live a normal life, but she is also struggling with the fact that her parents will have to live and learn to be without her after she passes away. While attending a church support group for cancer survivors, as her parents believe she is depressed because she has cancer, she meets a boy who is one year older than her, Augustus Waters. Augustus has a type of cancer that causes him to lose his leg and wear a prosthetic, called Osteosarcoma.

From the first day that Hazel meets Augustus the two are practically inseparable. Being diagnosed with cancer is the basis of their friendship and their love for books. Hazel shares her favourite book, ‘An Imperial Affliction’ with Augustus, and they bond over this book and have a burning desire to find out how the story ends because the author stops the book before providing the conclusion about what happens to each of the characters. Augustus joins Hazel’s pursuit of the book’s author, Peter Van Houten, to provide the answers that they need. Augustus uses a wish foundation to fly him and Hazel to Amsterdam, where the author lives, to talk with him in person to find out the end of the story. While experiencing each other’s hobbies and interests on the way, the two find a love for each other.

This novel is relatable to teenagers as teen issues are addressed in this book. I recommend this book to teenagers, young adults between the age of 12 and 25 who are interested in a heart-filled, romantic and exciting novel containing life lessons. I find this book an amazing read. I’d rate this novel ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ 4 out of 5 stars. Mia R, Year 9

November 12

‘Delirium’ by Lauren Oliver

Delirium‘The most dangerous sicknesses are those that make us believe we are well.’ – Proverb 42, The Book of Shhh.

It’s been sixty-four years since the President and the Consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since scientists perfected a cure. It’s called amor deliria nervosa, and those who become infected are dangerous infractions in society, and must be neutralised at all costs. The cure is administered to citizens the day they turn eighteen, and Lena Haloway only has ninety-five days left. Lena, along with everyone else, looks forward to the day they receive the cure, as a life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured and predictable. But her best friend, Hana, doesn’t agree with that at all, and neither does Alex, the mysterious boy with the autumn coloured eyes who keeps popping up when Lena least expects it. And with the Government refusing to even admit to the existence of the Invalids, an underground rebel alliance from the other side of the border, Lena is starting to disagree as well. With memories from her past resurfacing about her mother and how different she was from other cured parents, Lena begins to doubt everything she was ever forced to believe, especially when she starts harbouring feelings of the illegal kind for a certain boy who seems to know far more about the disease than he lets on. Lena starts to realise just how little control she has over her own life, and opens her eyes to just how little humanity there is inside a machine.

From the moment I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down, and it will definitely be one that stays with me for a long time. Each page was thick with tension and I found myself feeling like I was in the story with Lena, afraid that at any second I would be taken away for knowing too much. The suspense really was killer, and I found that I could relate to the characters easily, like they were real people. Every emotion Lena felt was translated flawlessly through the descriptive language in the book, and the vast use of vocabulary made the heavy situation palpable and full of real substance. Not once did I encounter a moment that seemed to drag on or lack essence of any kind, and the story was full of twists and deeper meanings where I had to read between the lines, making me think about what that sentence really meant long after I’d finished the book. The characters were well developed and relatable, and their fear for their lives was especially raw and material. It’s a book that I could read over and over again, and every time I would get lost in the story.

I recommend this story to girls, around thirteen to adulthood. People who enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins or Matched by Ally Condie would appreciate the story especially. I rate Delirium 5 stars out of 5, and I will probably be reading the book a second time.

Lily T., Year 9.’

……..

“The most dangerous sicknesses are those that make us believe we are well.” –Proverb 42, The Book of Shhh. (p1). Wow, sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Let’s find out…

This story is set in the future, in a place and time where love is a disease. Imagine that! Half of the movies we see would never be made, no one would be dreaming of Harry Styles, and what would happen on February 14th? Nothing, that’s what. It’s Valentine’s Day if you didn’t know…

The main girl, Lena, is 17 and about to get ‘the cure’ for love, called “The Producer”, along with her friend, Hana. Hana is a rebel, and likes going to parties. Lena goes to one and meets Alex, who is a boy. Alex flirts with Lena, and she feels confused because Alex is supposed to be cured, and she is worried about her future. Lena is afraid of Alex.

One night, Hana goes to a party, and Lena goes to warn her that it is going to be raided. Some dogs attack her, and Alex saves her by looking after her wounds. Lena’s future has already been chosen, and her future husband follows the rules, and she feels bad that she is thinking so much about Alex. This is like some cultures where they have arranged marriages.

They run off into the wild and it gets quite romantic. They read poetry to each other and Lena realises that Alex isn’t cured and he is falling in love with her.

I would tell you more but I don’t to wreck it. It’s interesting if you like books like “Divergent” or “The Hunger Games”. I like more mystery type books with more action than this one. If you are a girl, aged 14-15, and into romance, you might like this book. I would rate this book 3/5 because it was ok but not as interesting as I thought it would be, based on the blurb.

— Katelyn, Year 9

……..

“He who leaps for the sky may fall, it’s true. But he may also fly.”

(One of the most famous quotes from Delirium)

Delirium is an award-winning book around the world. In fact this is the best book that Lauren Oliver ever wrote that is now a book series. This book is based on romance and maybe a tiny bit of adventure. This book definitely keeps your eyes wide open especially for ages between 14 and 20 years. Not only does Delirium have an amazing story line but the book also follows along with beautiful wording that I couldn’t get my eyes off the book!

Delirium is a successful novel that is about forbidden love and everybody in the story is scared of being in love. The government has a rule that when you turn 18, you have to get a cure. This cure is for everyone to not have the ability to fall in love forever or, as the government calls love, the disease Amor Deliria Nervosa. The main character of the book, Lena, is 17 and in a few days she turns 18 and then she will get the needle. But she also has one dark big secret that she knows is not good at all for her. The government will not be impressed at all.

In my opinion, this was a great gripping story that will have all teens reading more than once. I definitely rate this book at least a four out of 5 stars as I couldn’t get my hands off the book. I am so very happy that I got to do a review about this amazing book, and I will be definitely continue on with the book series for a very long time.

Madison – Year 9

……..

“You can’t be happy unless you’re unhappy sometimes”. – Lauren Oliver

Delirium is an award-winning book loved by many teens. This book is set in Portland, Maine. It is based around 64 years after love had been stated as a disease by the United States government.

Lena Holoway is a seventeen-year-old girl ready for her 18th birthday. When she turns 18 she will be able to have the mandatory medical procedure that causes patients to be incapable of love. Lena is hoping that the cure will let her lead a safe and traditional life.

Delirium is about a world where no one can love as it has been declared a disease. People were not allowed to love, as it would mean you have a disease. Lena can’t wait until she gets the cure so that everyone would have a life without love and pain. Hana is Lena’s best friend who doesn’t agree with the cure and neither does the mystery boy, Alex. Lena eventually realises that she also disagrees. She realised that her memories from her past were reappearing about her mother, she realised that her mother was much different to the other cured parents. Lena began to realise that she doesn’t believe in everything she was taught to believe.

I liked this book because it has an interesting plot that keeps readers stuck in the book. You can’t keep their eyes off it. I would recommend this book to teenagers from the ages of 13 and above because it’s a hard book to understand and it’s more for that age category.

Thalia F., year 9

May 19

‘Legend’ by Marie Lu

legend_coverDay is a renegade from the streets, a criminal on the run. June, on the other hand, is a student at the university training to be part of the republic. Her first task is to hunt down Day.

Do you like the ultimate game of cat and mouse, with action and romance on the side? Then ‘Legend’ is the book for you.

Set in a post-apocalyptic styled Los Angeles, June and Day are on opposite sides of a raging war. June is from a good family, training to become a military star. She is on a mission of revenge to find her brother’s killer; she will find him at all costs. Day, the ultimate outlaw, steals money and goods to support and take care of his family. June anticipates that Day is the killer, which makes the book so much more interesting as she is on the hunt for unsuspecting Day.

The story picks up pace when the two protagonists cross paths at a fight where June saves Tess, a close friend of Day’s. They become close even sharing a kiss one night but June doesn’t realise who he is. When June finally realises, she contacts Thomas, a soldier who served with her brother and they raid Day’s family house taking Day into custody.

While in custody, Day and his brothers are interrogated and tortured. June starts to have doubts about Day being the killer and after reading her brother’s journal she finds out that the government are corrupt and that the soldier Thomas actually killed her brother. She helps Day escape and they travel to the colonies to get ready to fight against the Republic.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it kept me drawn in from the very start. The action, the romance, the corruption, the controversy – its all there! I would recommend this book to 12-16 year old teenagers because the book uses mature content and language. The book is definitely worthwhile. I’d rate this book 8/10.

A must read.”

Trey, Year 9

May 19

‘Shiver’ by Maggie Stiefvater

ShiverForget the full moon and silver bullets. These wolves are different from any other wolves known. During the summer they’re human but by winter they’re wolves.

Shiver is an eerie, bittersweet love story with some thriller and comedy elements. The writing is lyrical and the descriptions are breathtaking and I can guarantee anyone who reads this book will love it.

When Grace was a young girl she was victim to a freak wolf attack. When she thought she was going to die, one wolf with yellow eyes fended off the others. Grace lived, and after the attack she has been catching glimpses of those same yellow eyes in the woods next to her house, protecting her. She always longed for winter to come so she could see her wolf again.

When another attack occurs and the wolves kill a teenage boy, a hunting party is assembled to shoot at the pack of wolves. Grace tries to stop the hunting in fear for her wolf, only to find a teenage boy naked and shot on the back of his neck, on her porch. The boy has the same eyes as her wolf. Grace learns that the boy, Sam, is her wolf and that he has been watching her and protecting her from afar since the attack. She discovers the deep, dark secrets of Sam’s past and she learns why he was gone during the summer and how it is possible. Sam fears he will turn into a wolf and will never turn human again. Sam and Grace will do anything to find the cure that will keep Sam human. How much will they really sacrifice to get the cure? Will they find the cure at all before Sam turns into a wolf again?

I fell in love with this book because of its Romeo and Juliet theme and because it is told from the perspectives of both Sam and Grace and I love how it’s written this way. I would recommend this book to people of the ages 12-20.

Jada F, Year 9

May 19

‘Twilight’ by Stephenie Meyer

“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him, and I didn’t know how tame that part might be that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

twilightTwilight is set in Forks, Washington. Forks is rarely visited by the warm sunlight, a perfect condition for Edward’s family of vampires.

The story tells of the love between a human, Belle Swan, and vampire Edward Cullen. Bella is a pretty, pale, small, shy 17-year-old who likes to keep to herself and isn’t all that good at sports. Edward is a perfect stunning 17-year-old boy who is admired by every girl in his school, including Bella, and he is good at everything.

The book is about Bella moving to Forks and meeting Edward, with Bella immediately intimidated by his dazzling eyes. Edward can read minds but he is stopped when he realises he can’t read hers. He ends up feeling very protective over her and they fall in love, but it isn’t so innocent. Soon she will either have to decide if she wants to be with Edward forever, meaning she can’t stay human, or be with her family and not Edward. Throughout the book you fall in love with the love shared between the two characters. The amount of consideration and daring they present to each other is so meaningful.

One of the reasons why I love this book is because of the relationship between the main characters even though they are so different. Bella is quiet and harmless, and she often stumbles into damaging situations, and Edward often saved her from these scenarios. One of the first scenes leading up to Bella uncovering his secret is when she is standing by her car in a parking lot and she is almost slammed between two cars. If not for Edward’s super speed, she wouldn’t have survived.

I would recommend this book for teenagers; it is a very intriguing book, definitely hard to put down.

Angelique R, Year 9

……….

“About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him-and I didn’t know how tame that part might be that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.”

Twilight is set in Forks, Washington. Forks hardly ever gets any good weather so it’s mainly just cloudy with no sun. The story is mainly about a warm blooded person and a cold blooded vampire.

Bella moves back to Forks and she meets a guy named Edward at her school. She immediately fell for Edward Cullen. Edward can read minds but he is confused when he realises he can’t read Bella’s. He ends up feeling very protective over her and he follows her everywhere so he knows she’s safe. Edward ends up falling in love with Bella as well, but a human is a threat to the vampire world. If any other humans find out about Edward and his family the Denali Coven clan would have to kill the Cullens. But that doesn’t stop Edward and Bella; Bella’s just got to try and keep they’re secret.

I have recommended this book to many people, and the people I have recommended this to have absolutely loved it. This book is mainly for teenagers, young adults and even adults. This is one of my favourite books because the connection between the two main characters is a very interesting story and the book just doesn’t stop at twilight. There are four more novels in the twilight series and these books do not disappoint.

Erin Cullen, Year 9

May 19

‘The Vow’, by Kim & Krickitt Carpenter with Dana Wilkerson

the vow“I love you, Krickitt.”

“I love you too”.

One autumn morning in 1992, Kim Carpenter called Jammin Sports-wear and heard a chirpy and upbeat voice, like Krickitt’s. The first conversation Kim had with Krickitt wasn’t their last. They both wouldn’t only talk about purchases. Kim couldn’t stop thinking about this girl named Krickitt. He wanted to know more.

Kim lived in New Mexico, coaching The Highland’s University baseball team and Krickitt lived in California and practiced Gymnastics from kindergarten each afternoon in her mother’s gym.

A few months had passed since their first conversation and now they were spending more time talking to each other. The conversations with Krickitt were getting longer. They began to write letters back and forth to each other. In February 1993, Krickitt and Kim decided they would meet and spend time together and two months later Krickitt made the decision to go to New Mexico. Eventually Kim decided he would propose to Krickitt, two weeks after she returned home.

Kim and Krickitt’s life together was broken, as a car wreck left Krickitt with a head injury, keeping her in a coma for weeks, but when she finally awoke she had no idea who Kim was.

I really enjoyed the book ‘The Vow’ because this true tragic story of romance, kept my eyes glued to the book as each chapter had something of interest to keep you reading. I recommend this story to all people aged 13 and over who are interested in romance and enjoy reading, true story novels. This book has really caught my attention. I’d rate ‘The Vow’ 5 out of 5 stars.

Isabella, Year 9.

May 18

‘The fault in our stars’ by John Green

“That’s the thing about pain: it demands to be felt.”

“I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly then all at once.”

The fault in our starsThis story, The Fault in Our Stars, is set in a quiet place with not very many people around and it seems a little cold some days and some days are quite warm. This place is Indianapolis.

The main characters in this book, The fault in our stars, are Hazel–Grace and Augustus Waters. Hazel is a 16 year old girl who had been diagnosed with leukaemia and has to carry an oxygen tank around with her so she can breathe properly. Hazel also was very quiet and didn’t like talking in front of a big crowd. She also was sweet, kind, beautiful, loving and demonstrates emotions throughout the book.

The other main character is Augustus Waters. He is 17 years old and had cancer. He had been blinded by cancer and August was also a very good basketball player until he was diagnosed, having to get his leg amputated. Augustus Waters was a very kind and sweet and honest guy and filled with emotions here and there as well.

A little brief about this story is that it is about a teenage girl named Hazel with cancer that meets a guy named Augustus Waters and he had cancer but doesn’t anymore and Hazel falls in love.

The reason why I like the story so much is because it reminds me of my dad and I start to cry and I feel very emotional when I think of this lovely story. It is such an emotional ride while reading this story.

I would recommend this story to children that love to read from the age of 10 all the way up to an adult. It is such an amazing story and great read. I’d rate the book ‘The Fault in our stars’ 5 out of 5 stars. Sophia K., Year 9

November 20

‘The Fault In Our Stars’ by John Green

The fault in our stars“You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.”

The Fault In Our Stars is the bestselling novel by John Green, which explores the humorous, exciting and heartbreaking story of being alive and in love.

Cancer when you’re young isn’t always “The Fault In Our Stars” but it is for these normal teenagers, who are stuck in the pain of dying, and even more unbearable pain of living. Hazel Grace says, “I’m a grenade and at some point I’m going to blow up and I would like to minimize the casualties, okay?”

This is a story of two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, both cancer sufferers who fall in love. Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen year old cancer patient, believes that everything, including her cancer, is a side effect of dying. In fact it is, until she meets the love of her life, Augustus Waters.

As well as a beautiful love story, this novel tells us so much more about our lives. It tells us that in reality that “we can blame the stars, or tell ourselves it wasn’t meant to be, that it wasn’t destined to happen. But deep down we know that the stars were not at fault and it wasn’t “meant to be.” The fault was in ourselves.”

This is a novel that brings out so much emotion while reading, with so much happiness and so much sadness making you never want to put the book down. This book is a humorous yet sad story that will make you laugh and cry. I would definitely recommend this book to a female aged between 12-40 who likes to read a romantic, heartbreaking thriller. I’d rate the book ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ 4 out of 5 stars.

Kate, Year 9

…………….

“That’s the thing about pain… it demands to be felt.”

This novel, The Fault in our Stars, is all about romance and the love story between Hazel and Augustus. Unfortunately they both have cancer or have had cancer. It’s also about just having life the way you want to even though you know you can’t.

Hazel (Hazel Grace which is what Augustus likes to call her) is scared. She’s scared because she thinks of herself as a grenade and the only way she knows how to minimize the casualties is by shutting everyone she ever cared about or cares about out of her life forever. But what happens if one person is able to knock down her walls and finally get her to open up and not shut him out?

This story is set in Indianapolis, America but they do travel to Amsterdam in Europe to meet their favorite author. Hazel is a 16 year old girl who has been diagnosed with depression. She believes that it is not a side effect of the cancer treatment which the doctor’s keep telling her and her mum thinks it is. Instead, it is a side effect of dying, in her eyes, because she is never going to live her life like everyone else; I mean she already has an oxygen tank.

Augustus is the boy who fears oblivion. He’s 17 years old, has already lost one leg to cancer, loves Hazel and finally gets her to open up.

What happens when Augustus and Hazel first meet? Why do they meet? You can only answer these questions if you’ve read this heart-filled story. This a heart-filled story because it is not about cancer, it is about romance and the love between Hazel and Augustus. The Fault in our stars is such a great book because it is funny, loving, true, romantic, sad, and above all because the kids are in love and characters are funny and have personalities too but they just so happen to have cancer. The book doesn’t let the cancer describe them as a person, it lets them show their personalities which is what Augustus did to Hazel.

I rate this book 5 stars out of 5 stars and, even though everyone all over the world loves this book, I recommend it to whoever is going through a rough time and for teenage girls and older. This book is so heart filled and romantic so that’s the only reason I’m recommending it to young females. Most girls are into romance and love stories. So what happens in this story and why? Only you can find out. Are you going to take the chance?  Remember “Some Infinities are bigger than other infinities, ……but I’m just glad I got my little infinity with you” and “maybe okay will be our always.”

Amelia B, Year 9

November 20

‘The Wrong Boy’ by Suzy Zail

wrong boyHanna is the girl who fell in love with ‘the wrong boy’ who made her feel like the only girl in the world yet there is so much behind that smile on his face that pulls her in so tightly.

Does this sound like a book for you? Are you into love stories that are backed up with a bit of thrill? Well if you are, then this is a book for you.

The girl behind this love story lives in a place named the Ghetto but six weeks after living there Hanna and her family are forced to move out. Hanna gets played and soon realizes that love can play an awful amount of games with your head and that love isn’t always what it is like on the movies. Erika, who is Hanna’s little sister, doesn’t just sit back and watch them kick her family out, she fights back and sticks up for what she believes in. Erika is known to be bold and take leadership when needed. She loves to be honored and to have attention. Hanna’s mum is a quiet, polite woman who sits back and watches her life flash before her. She doesn’t stand up for what she wants or thinks is right. She believes that everyone should get what they want before her and that they all mean so much more than what she is worth. Hanna’s dad isn’t the typical muscly ‘stand up for his family’ kind of dad. He is slim with an edge of petrifying feeling going through his body when his family gets kicked out of the Ghetto.

This book was very interesting and exciting to read because of the thrilling yet very romantic scenes in it. It described the way that a girl falls in love yet can fall in love the wrong way and with the wrong boy. This book is very suitable for ages from 11-20 depending on what kind of person you are. If you are into romance and mild thrill then you will love this book because it has a lot of romance in it yet the romance in this book is very twisted and the thrill can only be imagined by one person with great imagination that can read between the lines of a book. I would definitely read this book again if I got asked to.

Tay-lah, Year 9