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The book begins after the Hunger Games which takes place in the second book in the series (Catching Fire). Katniss Everdeen, the book’s main character, is in district thirteen (led by President Coin) which is now the base that is underground for the rebellion against the Capital and President Snow. Katniss and the others including her sister Prim, her mom, and Gale, Katniss’ hunting partner, and friend take classes and try to better themselves for the rebellion. However, Peeta Mellark, who was the co-Hunger Games winner with Katniss was captured after the games by the capital.

Left Out by Tim Green is a realistic fiction novel about a new kid moving into a new school with cochlear implants. The kid’s name is Landon Dorch, he is in the seventh grade, and he is one of the tallest and biggest kids in his grade, so he joins the football team. However, the kids on the team make him feel unwanted because of his hearing problems. He also has little to no football knowledge and doesn’t play in the games. Then, he makes a surprising friend named Brett.

The book The Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian is an adventurous dystopian novel about a 16 year old girl that has more experience with danger than most other girls her age would. Theodosia was once an Astrean princess. That however, was before the kalovaxians captured the astreans and started used them as slaves. At the start of the siege, Theodosia’s mother, the queen was murdered when Theo was only 6. The war continued harshly after that. Thousands of astreans had died every day fighting against the Kaiser/King’s army but they didn’t give up.

Girls Like Us by Gail Giles tells the story of two special education students who initially dislike each other. When their guidance counselor mandates that they stay together for the predictable future, they are not overjoyed. After all, they barely got along during their first encounter and it seems like they won’t get along in the future either. Soon, however, they see past their differences and into the persons they have really become. They realize that their situation is mutually advantageous: Biddy needs help as a Russian immigrant and Quincy has her own secret to hide.

This novel is a great read. Its a great book that will keep you wondering what will happen to young Stanley Yelnats. Full of friendships, mystery, treasure, and more. I highly recommend this novel for young teen readers. After reading you can also watch the movie that corresponds with the novel. I think that the characters in this book are great role models in all different ways. They each represent a different struggle they have been through and how that has shaped their personality. 

The Distance From Me to You by Marina Gessner (pen name of Nina de Gramont) tells the story of McKenna, the protagonist of the novel, who decides to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail after hearing that her dad did the same. She had originally planned to hike with a friend, but when that friend mysteriously pulls out of the arrangement, McKenna is left by herself to survive in the wilderness. Then she meets Sam, who has taken to the Appalachian Trail to escape his troubled family.

River of Dreams by Jan Nash tells the story of a teenage protagonist who tries to save the life of her brother, who falls into a paranormal induced coma. When the protagonist’s brother mysteriously wakes up one morning seemingly unalive, the protagonist puts herself on a mission to figure out the truth about what has happened, whatever it might take. Eventually she discovers that she is a dreamwalker, which means she has a duty to help others who are suffering from bad dreams.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzalez tells the story of Ollie, the protagonist of the novel, who experiences a family emergency and thus has to move from sunny California to North Carolina. When Ollie is in North Carolina, he meets a person named Will and often hangs out with him over the summer. But, when school begins, he finds out that Will is a different person. The likable fellow he previously knew is now a jock, basketball player, and Ollie is unsure how to act around him.

Something in Between by Melissa de la Cruz tells the story of Jasmine, an overachieving young individual with dreams of obtaining the National Scholarship; when this becomes a reality, however, she finds out that her parents are undocumented immigrants (illegal, so to speak). Jasmine realizes that all her hard work was for nothing, and her parents, who regret not having told her earlier, are already packing their bags for the event that they get deported.

All American Boys, by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely  All American Boys is several years old but it's as timely as ever. Reynolds narrates Rashad, a black teen who gets mistaken as a shoplifter at the corner bodega. Kiely narrates Quinn, the white friend (and a witness to the incident) of the cop, who beats up and arrests Rashad.

Have you read a good book that you want to share with others? Send us an email, with your review to teens@sayvillelibrary.org, along with the book title and author. Submitting book reviews can count toward your community service credit. Each review earns 1 hour of community service.

The New David Espinoza, by Fred Aceves