Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

Emily, Navin, and their mother move to their mother’s great grandfather’s home after a family tragedy in a brand new town. On their first night, they decide to explore and clean the house up, as it had been abandoned for years. However, while exploring they discover this tentacled creature who kidnaps Emily and Navin’s mom and it is now up to them both to save their mother’s life and bring her back safely. Taking a mysterious Amulet before they set off on their journey, they come to discover many new creatures and friends, such as a talking robot and stuffed animal. Little do they know, the Amulet has magical powers that are able to save them in times of need. What they also do not know is that Emily and Navin are not the only ones who know about the Amulet. They have enemies doing anything it takes to get their hands on it.

Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi is a suspenseful comic with a simple plot but with an amazing execution. Each panel is beautifully drawn with utmost detail. This is a great read if you would like to enjoy reading a book with an interesting plot and great characters.

Written by Aishi, Teen Volunteer

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins

Eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister Boots were trying their best to beat the summer heat in their New York City apartment. The days seemed to be repeating over and over again, with barely anything to do. Boots has a habit of dismantling various items, and today she decided to dismantle the dryer. Gregor rushed towards her to stop her, but as he got there he saw a metal grate to a large, two-by-two foot air duct opening. Boots, being just two-years-old and full of curiosity, leaned forward and fell into the air duct. Without thinking, Gregor lunged in behind her, falling lower and lower into the Earth with seemingly no end to the fall. When they finally landed with no injuries, they were met with a four-foot tall talking cockroach, who brought them to the land of Regalia; a land with other humans just like Gregor and talking creatures way larger than what he was used to in New York City. All Gregor wanted to do was get back home with Boots before his mother came back from work. However, when he discovers a cryptic prophecy in order to save the Underland with him having the main role, as well as the promise of finding his dad who mysteriously disappeared two years ago, he begins his quest. Little did he know, his life, as well as the lives of everyone in the Underland, was about to drastically change.

Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins is book one in The Underland Chronicles, filled with suspense and action-packed. This book is perfect for fantasy lovers of all ages, with a wide range of characters, engaging plot, and plot twists no one would see coming. I would definitely rate this book a 10/10; a page-turner that cannot be put down. 

Written by Aishi, Teen Volunteer

Rick by Alex Gino

The book Rick by Alex Gino starts off with a boy named Rick who is going into middle school. At his school he meets a group of people called the Rainbow Spectrum. During Rick’s self discovery, he faces fake friends, new friends, reconnecting with family members, and inner conflict.

I really like this book because it gives a strong representation of LGBTQ plus people. This book is good for people who are questioning and in the community, or just anyone who wants to read anything related to the community. This book is heartwarming and is filled with lots of joy. It is also very easy to read and enjoyable for kids.

Written by Alexa, Teen Volunteer

Projekt 1065 by Alan Gratz

In the book Projekt 1065, written by Alan Gratz, Michael O’Shaunessey is involved in the World War II war efforts in Germany. He lives in Germany, but is Irish because his father is the diplomat for the neutral Ireland in the war. In secret, Michael helped his parents gain information about the war and the generals during dinner parties and other events.

Early in the book, Michael meets a new student, Fritz, and started to become friends with him. Michael and Fritz shared secrets with each other, such as their love for American books, which were supposed to be banned from Germany. Michael did not, however, share any secrets about his work for the Allies, because he saw that Fritz was a Nazi at heart. During their tests to become part of the Hitler youth, Michael helped Fritz pass the boxing test, and Fritz helped Michael pass the test where Michael had to jump from a high height. Although after the test, Fritz began obsessing over becoming a perfect Nazi soldier, Michael stuck with him to try to gain access to his father’s German plane blueprints inside Fritz’s house. Michael’s strong memory allowed him to memorize the blueprints and record them later at his own house with his parents, and a pilot Michael had rescued during a search at the beginning of the book. The British pilot taught Michael lessons about the world, about books, and helped Michael work on improving his memory even more.

This book is an eye-opener about the war and the role the youth played. This book  teaches the reader the struggles and sacrifices of young kids and how these children were forced to mature into adults because of their circumstances. It helps the reader understand that much of the Nazi hatred was rooted in the childhood of the soldiers, and teaches the reader to be strong and do what is right for the people around them, even if that means to be selfless.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

The book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is about a 13 year-old boy named Brian who survives alone in the wilderness. The characters in this book are Brian, his mother, his father, the pilot, and the memories Brian has of other people from his life. At the start of the book, Brian’s mother and father are in the process of getting a divorce after Brian’s mother has an affair. Brain gets on a plane to reach his father, who is in Canada, but when the pilot suddenly becomes unconscious, Brian has to try to land the plane himself. He survives the rough landing, but is knocked unconscious. When he wakes up, he realizes that he has to survive in the wilderness all alone using the skills he has. Brian’s only tool during this time is the hatchet his mother gave him and his mind. Brian recalls memories from his friend, his teacher, and his uncle to help him stay alive. Some of the problems Brian has to face are building a shelter, catching food, defending himself, starting a fire, facing the weather and finding water. These are only some of the many struggles he has. Ultimately, Brian needs to find his way back to civilization and his family as well.

This book is different from many books middle schoolers are reading because this book focuses on a man versus nature plot conflict. This conflict is something that all readers should be encouraged to read at some point because it is unique and offers a viewpoint on life that many young readers do not consider.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan

If you are eager to learn the true meaning of “riches to rags” then this book will explain how this particular family can turn from rich with a good life to poor in just a few Weeks. Within this story there is a young Latina girl named Esperanza who lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico with her wealthy family on her family’s ranch called “El Rancho de la Rosas.” She had thought her life would be wonderful forever and that she would always be wealthy. But a sudden tragedy shakes her world and forces Esperanza and her family to move to California. There they learn what it means to be considered “rags” by doing hard work, having bad finances, and more. The main conflict that occurs teaches Esperanza to rise over all of the problems as both her and her family’s new lives are at stake. I would rate the book a 9/10 because this book demonstrates responsibility and how the character overcomes challenges in order to help her family.

Written by Gowrish, Teen Volunteer

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan is the first book in the series Percy

Jackson and the Olympians. The main character Percy is a troubled student who struggles to fit into society. Percy continues to live this way until he is suddenly attacked by a strange creature. At that point, he is brought to a camp, named Camp Halfblood, where he begins to live with a group of kids, each with one mortal and one immortal parent. Percy soon discovers that his father is one of the three most powerful gods: Posideon. During the rest of the novel, Percy and two of his friends, Annabeth and Grover, embark on a long journey to stop a war with the Gods, knowing that if they fail, the human race could be destroyed. This plot continues throughout the five books in the Percy Jackson series.

The main external conflict of the book is that peace needs to be created between

the gods. The inner conflict of the book is the doubt that Percy lays upon himself. This

doubt causes Percy to question his abilities and worry his father, and it begins to affect

his performance. Throughout the book, no matter what challenge Percy faced, he found a way to move forward with bravery. Percy and his friends all displayed heroic actions during their journey. This book taught me to have courage. Percy and his friends managed to stay strong and be brave despite their terrifying experiences. This encouraged me to see that my worries did not compare to their own, and therefore made my fears seem less rational. This book can also  teach students more about Greek mythology all while pulling the reader in for an action-filled adventure.

Written by Arianna, Teen Volunteer