Teen Book Reviews

Brat. An unwashed, unnourished, unloved, and unlovely girl. When Brat is taken on by a sharp-tempered midwife looking for free labor, she has nothing and hopes for nothing. But as she navigates her new life delivering babies, she grows in knowledge and confidence. Yet she still doesn’t know her place in the world. Eventually, after a failure shatters her newfound confidence, Brat must ask herself: Who is she, and what does she want from life?

The Midwife’s Apprentice is a witty yet profound novel. The storytelling is rich and vivid; as soon as you read the first sentence, you are transported to the dirty, difficult, and sometimes shocking world of everyday life in the fourteenth century. There is plenty of mischievous action to keep the reader entertained—who doesn't love a little revenge?— but the story is also interwoven with deep questions about identity and coming of age that will linger with readers even after they finish the book. Best of all, the main character is larger than life: her hopes and fears resonate through generations of teenagers, all of them wondering who they are and what their dreams are. The Midwife’s Apprentice is a poignant novel of finding your identity and your place in the world.

This story starts after the Trojan war and Odysseus tries to return himself and his men back to Ithaca. He needs to return to his wife and return all his men to their families. He comes face to face with many difficulties on his way back home. For example, his biggest challenge was the cyclops. Finally, he made his way home, but unfortunately not with his men. He continues to live happily with his wife.

I would not recommend this book because not everybody enjoys Greek mythology. Overall it wasn’t the most interesting and exciting book I have ever read. Personally, I prefer true tales over myths, but that depends on the person. However, it was interesting to learn about what the Greeks used to believe in. It is also interesting to walk in the Greeks shoes and see what life was like for them back then. Unfortunately, the book did not initially hook me or keep me hooked as the story progressed and I just lost interest.

The Hunger Games is a book about a girl named Katniss. Katniss is from a poor district that is looked down upon, and throughout the book always feels like she has to prove herself. She goes through trial after trial in the book and in the end, comes out as the victorious district. The book shows that despite what people think or say about you, all it takes to succeed is effort and grit.

I would recommend this book. Although it has some slower parts, it is a very good book that everyone should read at one point or another. I love the Hunger Games and it got me back into reading at a point where I haven't been regularly reading books for a few years. This is a book I will always recommend, even after 2 or 3 re-reads. It is a very good book if you like dystopian stories about an underdog character, this is 100% the book for you!

Cammie is a spy-in-training at the Gallagher Academy. On a mission, she gets caught but is fortunately able to escape. She ends up meeting a boy named Josh. To avoid Josh assuming that she is a conceited prima donna while still maintaining her school's disguise, she lies and says she's homeschooled. Cammie returns to school determined to meet this boy again, however dangerous it may be.

I highly recommend this book! Although it's targeted towards middle-aged readers, this book would be a wonderful addition to your bookshelf no matter your age! Carter's delightful storytelling kept me glued to the pages until the very end. I particularly enjoyed how this book portrayed women as strong and powerful characters, while seamlessly incorporating a bit of friendly romance. Overall, I think readers of all ages would enjoy this book. It is definitely worth reading (and re-reading)!

Beyond the Grave is the fourth book in the action-packed young adult series, The 39 Clues. This Jude Watson book follows the Cahill siblings, Amy and Dan, as they travel to Egypt in search of the next clue in their quest to uncover the secret of their family's power. The plot is full of twists and turns, with the siblings battling against rival teams and facing dangerous challenges.

Beyond the Grave is an action-packed adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. As part of The 39 Clues series, it continues to deliver on its promise of excitement, intrigue, and mystery. The plot is well-crafted, and the characters are incredibly engaging, making it hard to put down. The historical aspects of the story are well-researched and add depth to the overall experience. Overall, Beyond the Grave is something that you must read if you love thrilling adventures and mystery.