A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier is a very stirring autobiography about Ishmael Beah and his journey to becoming a boy soldier and how he recovers from it. Beah takes the reader through his painful journey of loss and pain, but also a journey of discovery and growing up. Beah takes the reader deep into his thoughts and heart, describing the devastating disappointment and pain of his family's death, the hatred that fueled his drive in being a boy soldier in the Sierra Leone civil war, and finally how he reconciles with his past and how he finally regains his childhood and humanity. 

This novel was very good because Beah is very honest about his experiences and pain. It's interesting to read about how he learned to cope with the memories of his painful past and losses. But it's also interesting to see him grow and recover from his past.

I would recommend this book to all people. It's a good book about culture, war around the world, recovery from grief, and the loss of childhood. It also questions the role of the idea of 'Humanity' and what happens to people who have lost it.

Keila, 14

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Nathan Price, an arrogant Baptist missionary, settles his wife and four daughters in a Congolese village determined to spread the word of God. During a time of tumultuous politics, racism, and Congolese independence, Nathan forces the family to stay, despite the risk of increasing danger. The family endures life-altering hardship and battles with feelings of guilt, grief and loneliness. The events that take place during their time in the Congo will haunt them for years to come.

I loved this book. It was definitely one of the best books I've read because of its depiction of historical events, racism, and portrayal of real, raw emotion.

I would recommend this book to others because of its dynamic plot line, important message, and its awesome portrayal of life in the Congo. If you like historical fiction and stories with a powerful message, The Poisonwood Bible would be the perfect book for you.

Bethany, 15

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Girl Stolen is about a girl name Cheyenne who, when she was younger, contracted pneumonia and became blind. Her life takes a dangerous twist one day when waiting for her mother in the car, a random guy hijacks the car!

I really liked this book because it was creepy! Knowing that this happens sometimes in real life is scary!

Yessica, 15

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The Light of Paris is a novel that switches perspectives between Margie, a young American woman in Paris in 1924, and her granddaughter named Madeleine. Madeleine discovers her grandmother's diary, and reads of her time in Paris. She learns that she and Margie have a lot in common, including their strained home life. Her grandmother's experiences help Madeleine forage the right path for her own life.

I like this book because of the time period that it takes place in- the 1920's. It was a nice story, however, it was quite predictable.

I would recommend the book to others because it is a heartwarming story. I suggest this book for people that enjoy uplifting and encouraging stories.

Bethany, 15

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Lone survivor is based on a true story. It is about four U.S navy seals whose mission was to capture or kill an al Qaeda leader in 2005. Unfortunately they are outnumbered and soon only one of those navy seals is alive. This book is Marcus Luttrell's survivor story, in it he describes what happens to the other Navy seals and what he had to go through in order to survive.

This book had a strong impact on me. It shows how many people risk their lives for our country. I thought the book was really emotional and it's heartbreaking because that man had to see his partners/friends killed in front him. He then had to live with knowing only he survived.

If you would like to educate yourself on how other people do heroic things for our country, check this book out. It reminds you to keep our troops in you thoughts and prayers for what they go through to keep us safe. If you like reading about survivors and true stories you should really read this book.

Sandra, 16

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Tuesdays with Morrie is a final lesson between Morrie, a college professor, and one of his students, Mitch Albom, who is the author of the memoir. All the keys to life are mentioned between this pair, topics ranging from marriage, love, death, and the various aphorisms on life are said by Morrie, as he is facing death during the enrollment of the memoir.

How life should be perceived and challenged is what truly made me really like this book. It made me rethink the way I live my life and what was happening around me in a very positive and benevolent manner. Morrie's ability to live life even when he said he was already dead made me want to advance in a life full of accomplishment and success, that is why this book is motivating.

I would recommend this to anyone who is struggling in their lives and who are searching for ways to smooth it out. If you are into the beauty of life, then this book will surely change the way in which you think and live. This book will teach you many lessons and it will help in everyday life situations. 

Anthony, 16

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Chris McCandless takes a one way trip into the Alaskan wilderness, in which Jon Krakauer documents the journey from when it began to when the untimely death came to be. Krakauer, restates what occurred in Chris's journey, from meeting the people he met during hitchhiking, the various jobs he acquired, and the numerous places he stopped before heading into the wilderness.

Overall, the book was impressive in various ways. The organization in which the book was written is interesting and opening as it develops into further detail. Also, how the author established his credibility by mentioning a similar trip to that of Chris's trip, and how they both had the same desire in life. But most of all, I like how Jon Krakauer defends McCandless on why he did what he did, that it was part of human nature.

If you have a desire for exploration and the wilderness, then this book will sure give you some tips on how to properly do it and what the consequences are, both good and bad. Also, if you are a young adult who has desire to do something desperately, then this book would sure change the mentality and the way of approaching the desire.

Anthony, 16

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The Olympic gold medal-winning soccer player details her path to success, from her childhood in California to her time on the United States' National team.

This book kept me up all day and night. Alex Morgan's story made me believe that I could accomplish anything. Anyone reading this book would feel as if their dreams could come true.

This book is perfect for soccer fans and people who love stories about overcoming obstacles put in your path in order to reach your goal. 

Melissa, 13

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Morrie was Mitch Albom's favorite college professor and the story starts off with Mitch's flashback to his graduation in which he says goodbye to Morrie, promising to keep in touch. Sixteen years after his graduation, Mitch discovers that Morrie has been diagnosed with ALS. From then on, Morrie and Mitch meet every Tuesday to talk about life, love, regrets, and the world.

Tuesdays With Morrie is an absolutely amazing story. It is filled with despair, but also shows a great bond between an old teacher and student. This opens the audience's eyes out to the real struggle of ALS and what individuals truly have to go through.

This book is great for everyone. I highly recommend everyone read it especially if you are one who participated in the "ALS Ice Bucket Challenge;" it displays the symptoms of ALS and what loved ones have to go through.

Analyss, 17

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In 1893, the World's Fair was to be the biggest event of the century, and it was. Numerous exhibitions from across the country and even the world traveled to Chicago to be displayed next to newfangled creations like the Ferris Wheel and the jawdropping shows of Buffalo Bill. Little did anyone know that danger was lurking in the shadows in the form of serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes: the devil in the White City.

I LOVED this book. As an avid reader of murder mysteries, the story of Dr. Holmes was at once intriguing and frightening. Coupled with the story of the World's Fair, I found this book to be a wonderful dose of both true history and an enthralling plot. Even if you don't like history, you'll still enjoy this book because the story is not overwhelmingly filled with data yet is still realistic. The actual events of both the Columbian Expo and Holmes's killing sprees are portrayed in a wonderful narrative format that is a delight to read. However, due to the rather gory aspects of this novel, I'd recommend this book only to strong readers with equally strong stomachs.

Erica, 17

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Anne Frank is a thirteen year old Jewish girl who hides in an attic called "the Secret Annexe" for two years with multiple other families. She writes about all of her experiences in a journal, which is this book. Anne details her relationships, conflicts, and thoughts about her, the people she's with, and the troubles of 1942.

This book is an amazing look into life during the Holocaust. Anne has a very wide vocabulary for her age, and has very deep opinions about the world around her. Her interesting personality makes it very entertaining to read, and it is very easy to relate to her (more so if the reader is female).

If you'd like a book detailing what life was like during the Holocaust, The Diary of a Young Girl is definitely a story you should consider reading. I recommend it. It's simple to read, but lasts long enough to produce an evident impact.

Jakob, 15

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This book will tell you everything you need to know about how to survive high school. Literally your survival guide, this also features excerpts from the editor's life.

I would recommend this book because it was a really good read. It felt connected to me in a way I can't even imagine. If you like real-life books then go for this book.

Hieu, 13

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Moving to a new school. Dating. Breakups. Divorces. This is a book written by teens (technically) that tells about their story on a particular subject.

This book was good because these teens tell stories that are not unlike what you are experiencing.

Yes, I would recommend this book because I could connect to the stories and it is heartwarming.

Hieu, 13

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The book is about a young girl and her rough, tedious childhood. The book shows her struggles and how she overcame them, against all odds.

I loved this book so much, it was really interesting and kept me interested until the last page!

 I would recommend this book mainly to young girls, but the interesting story can capture the heart of anyone, at any age.

Khrystina, 17

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This is a very sad book about the abuse that a kid suffers at the hands of his mom.

It was a very hard book to read but makes you become aware of people's lives behind closed doors.

I would recommend it because you will get the actual meaning of someone who is being treated very badly by his own mother.

Rebecka, 14

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