Teen Book Reviews

Rachael Vincent’s Every Single Lie is a novel about junior, Beckett Burgen. Beckett dumped her boyfriend, Jake, due to suspicions of him cheating on her. Then, she found a baby in his duffel bag furthering her theory. However, people suspect her of giving birth and abandoning the baby and she is bullied relentlessly, both online and at school. By responding to these rumors, she finds out about others, leading her to question everyone she loves.

Yes, I would 100% recommend this book. It is an easy read with a complex theme. The themes in this book are love and trust. Her father, a veteran from Afghanistan, died after overdosing on painkillers. After his death, Beckett finds out later there were ugly rumors spread about him marketing drugs as well as cheating. Beckett has to figure out if these rumors are true or just gossip. She questions the actions of her late father, someone she used to look up to until now. Beckett also questions her boyfriend, Jake, of cheating on her and impregnating another girl, seeing as the baby was found in his duffel. Reading this book made me reflect on the meaning of a relationship and how trust is the most important factor in keeping a relationship healthy. Rachael Vincent wrote a story with elaborate plot twists, making it engaging and impossible to put down.

The main character is Percy Jackson. He wants to settle into high school after saving the world multiple times. He wants to go to New Rome University afterwards. His dad tells him that he needs three recommendation letters from the gods to get into the university. Soon he gets a quest from Ganymede to get Ganymede’s chalice back.

I recommend this book for three reasons: The first reason is that it teaches about some Greek mythology as it talks about Greek gods. The second reason is that it is a really good, adventurous book as Percy Jackson goes on quests. The third and final reason is that it has some comedy that makes it funny. To sum it all up, I think this is a good book to read.

During a sea voyage, Jaron and his crew are captured by pirates led by Captain Strick, who levels shocking accusations against him. In the chaos, Jaron discovers his brother’s crown and sword among the pirates' belongings. Fueled by determination, he is desperate to uncover how the pirates came into possession of his brother's items.

I highly recommend this book for its amazing mix of unexpected plot twists, rich fantasy elements, and intriguing mysteries. The story follows a heroic king who embodies selflessness, going to extraordinary lengths for his kingdom’s well-being, even when faced with life-threatening situations. Throughout his narrowing journey, he encounters moments that push him to the brink of death. With quick wit and clever strategies, he evades fate repeatedly. For Jaron, the protagonist, predetermined destiny doesn’t exist; his unwavering loyalty and resourcefulness always makes him ready to help those in desperate need.

In The Lying Game by Sara Shepard, Sutton Mercer, an upper-class teen, finds out that she has died. She must haunt her twin sister Emma, who she didn’t know existed. Emma, a foster kid, finds a video of Sutton and travels to find her sister. Realizing that her sister has died, she is forced to impersonate her sister. Can Emma fool everyone into believing she’s Sutton, and can she find out who killed her sister?

I would recommend The Lying Game to any reader who enjoys series and has not yet read the Pretty Little Liars series. The Lying Game is well-written and fast-paced, for anyone looking for an intriguing book. However, those that have read other books from Sara Shepard, such as the Pretty Little Liars series, may find it to be a cheap knock-off of those other books, as Shepard is infamous for reusing tropes and storylines. Either way, it is a great book, and the author does an excellent job of showing the differences between Emma and Sutton’s lifestyles, pointing out the theme that we should be grateful for what we have rather than focusing on what we don’t. The characters are well-developed and most readers will have a hard time putting it down.

The book Wonder was written by R.J. Palacio and published in 2012. This book follows a young boy in the 5th grade named August (Auggie) Pullman who suffers from a face condition. It is his first time attending a public school after being homeschooled for most of his life. This book includes the hardships and lessons August Pullman learns about people and life as a whole.

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy emotional riveting pieces such as this one. In this story, the author perfectly captures the emotions of not only Auggie, but his loved ones as well. Auggie Pullman is put through difficult lessons that teach him the cruelty of mankind. Through his trials and tribulations though, he was able to seek those who truly loved and cared for him. The thing that stands out with this book is how the author includes multiple points of view. Everyone's point of view ties into their emotions and the impact Auggie has made in their lives. The main message of the story really teaches the audience how important it is to be kind because you never know what someone is going through.