By Angie Thomas
Closing Thoughts
The Hate U Give is a powerful book about Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old African American girl, who lives in Garden Heights. When Starr’s childhood best friend (Khalil) gets shot by a police officer, Starr speaks out to help change her community. I will forever love this book, and will definitely re-read this again someday. ❤️❤️❤️
(this book was also made into a movie which I recommend watching)
By Jenna Evans Welch
Love & Gelato-in 3 words
I love the way “Love & Gelato” brought the life of Italy to me, through every page I felt like I was walking down the streets of Florence. (I HOPE I WILL ONE DAY!) When I was reading “Love & Gelato” the author, Jenna Evans Welch, described the setting so perfectly. Like Artichoke spinach dip right out of the container.
Ren and Lina had such a roller coaster of a love story. Because Mimi (Ren’s annoying girlfriend) always getting in the way. Read more about their love story at Top 3 Teenage Love Stories!
Lina goes to Florence to meet Howard. SPOILER ALERT! (her father). But mostly because that’s what her mother wanted before she died from pancreatic cancer. But as Lina finds her mother’s old diary, with Ren’s help, she finds lots of stuff out but I don’t want to say. Because it would spoil the book. Guess you have to read it.
Closing Thoughts
I love it when in books, the characters find something exiting but you only find out a little bit at a time. Because it makes it so much more fun, and suspenseful! That’s exactly what Love & Gelato did. I would definitely recommend this book.(Sorry it took so long to post this! And huge thanks to my friend who helped me write this.)
By Jennifer Niven
Holding Up The Universe -in 3 words
Libby Strout was once “America’s Fattest Teen.” Ever since kindergarten being told “No when will ever love you because you’re fat.” But no one can ever tell you who you are or what you are. That’s for you to decide, and only you.
After Jack Masselin gets caught in a game with his friends. Both Libby and Jack get stuck in group counseling. At first being friends seemed impossible, but soon not being together seemed impossible. Jack learns more about Libby, as they spend more time together. Falling head over heels for her.
Prosopagnosia, is Jack’s secret. Hiding it behind his easy-going personality. He can’t even recognize his own family. But with Libby, Jack can see her. Even recognize her. Not because of her weight. But because of her.
I can’t even explain how much I loved reading this. But I’ll try. Libby inspired me. Even though she’s not a real life person, she is too me. She stood up for herself. Because she loves herself. Just the way she is. Which is more than I, and a lot of people can say about themselves.
By John Boyne
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas -in 3 words
Bruno held Shmuel’s hand in the room, after marching in the rain. He said “You’re my best friend, Shmuel. My best friend for life.” Showed that everyone can bleed and hurt, and everyone can be friends. No matter who or what you believe in.
Shmuel had been separated from his family and the outside world. The solider’s trapping him in the Auschwitz concentration camp complex, with thousands of other Jews. Locked away in the camp, and from playing with Bruno.
Bruno had no idea what his father’s job was. Had no idea why the Jews were being kept inside the camp. But he did know he was friends with Shmuel. Bruno saw no difference between them. Just two boys, wanting a friend and someone to play with.
The last few chapters broke my heart, and gave me a new perspective on world war 2. And what it must have been like to have lived during it. Especially as children. Not knowing what was going on, and being kept away from information. I loved this book so much and don’t think it could’ve been any better.
By Ellie Terry
Every page was written poetically. Written with tons of emotion and love. Perfect sentences lined up to make a wonderful, sad, and happy story for Calliope June, and Jinsong P’eng.
“Forget Me Not” was an example of true friendship. How to stand up for others. That don’t have the courage to stand up for themselves. And most importantly, how to love and except yourself, as you.
The way the story swept me away as if I was in Calliope June’s mind and body. I could feel what Callie felt and her emotions. I felt sad when Jinsong was sad, and I felt like I was soaring when Calli was.
I would definitely recommend “Forget Me Not;” if your looking for a story to warm your heart, along with a message that you will never forget. “Forget Me Not” made me cry and touched my soul. The chapters switched perspectives between Calliope June and Jinsong P’eng. Their friendship grew as the story/book went on, even through their mistakes. Proving that true friends will always come back together in the end.
One Page a Time 