Tuesday, August 18, 2015

The Secrets We Keep

by Trisha Leaver

Summary:
When Ella wakes up in the hospital, she can barely remember what happened. When everyone starts calling her Maddy, her twin sister's name, she remembers everything and more. Rather than face her own guilt about the accident, Ella decides to just become Maddy-who was always the better, prettier, more popular twin anyway. As the months pass, Ella has to decide whether or not it's better to come clean about being Maddy, or whether she should give up her own dreams to live her sisters forever.

Review:
A good quick read, it's one of several of the same theme that have come out lately. This one is slightly believable, but also not on a lot of levels. Ella ultimately comes clean with few real reprecussions, which is also a little unbelievable. Overall its good for anyone who likes realistic fiction that's not too deep.

Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Realistic

Rot and Ruin

by Jonathan Maberry

Summary:
It's been 14 years since First Night, the night the dead came back to life. Now 15, Benny reluctantly agrees to join the 'family business' and become a zombie hunter like his brother Tom. But life in the Rot and Ruin isn't anything like Benny thinks, and he's about to discover that the zombies aren't the only monsters out there. Just because the world ended doesn't mean that the only people left are good.

Review:
A diferent kind of zombie book. Tom addresses the zombies not as 'monsters' but as the people they used to be, which is not something you normally see. It's a good read even for those who don't like the genre.

Age Level: 7th Grade
Genre: Horror

Black Dove, White Raven

by Elizabeth Wein

Summary:
Emilia and Teo's lives changed the instant war came to Ethopia. It was supposed to be a place they could be free, that they and their mothers could live without the genderism or racism that dominated 1930's America. Now Em and Teo find themselves in the middle of the conflict between Ethopia and Italy, and they are about to discover how many things are worth fighting for.

Review:
Another wonderful read by Wein. Em and Teo are wonderful characters, and the opportunities they have are rare for both their genders and race in this time period. A good read for historical fiction lovers.

Age Level: 8th Grade
Genre: Historical Fiction