Book Reviews Archive - Page 19 of 34 - Evanston Public Library

Top 10 Most Checked Out YA Books of 2017

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

After witnessing her friend’s death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter’s life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died.

King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard

With Mare powerless as a prisoner of Maven Calore, the boy she once loved, her rebel Reds continue to organize and train as they prepare for war, while exiled prince Cal sets out to rescue Maven from captivity. Book 3 in the Red Queen series

Once and for All by Sarah Dessen

Cynical about happy endings, Louna, the daughter of a wedding planner, initally holds Ambrose at arm’s length, but Ambrose has finally found someone to save him from his serial dating ways, and he’s not about be discouraged.

Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Hoping to gather information on Tamlin and the invading king threatening Prythian, Feyre plays a deadly game of deceit while trying to find allies. Book 3 in the Court of Thorns and Roses series.

Alex and Eliza: A Love by Melissa de la Cruz

When Alex and Eliza meet one fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

Emma is torn between her passion for Julian and her need to protect him from the consequences of a forbidden romantic partnership, a situation challenged by her relationship with Mark and his efforts to regain his Shadowhunter capabilities. Book 2 in the Dark Artifices series.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Aza Holmes, a high school student with obsessive-compulsive disorder, becomes focused on searching for a fugitive billionaire.

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

When one of five students in detention is found dead, his high-profile classmates—including a brainy intellectual, a popular beauty, a drug dealer on probation and an all-star athlete—are investigated and revealed to be the subjects of the victim’s latest gossip postings.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

While helping plan her father’s wedding, senior Lara Jean struggles with choosing a college and questions how graduation is going to change her relationship with her boyfriend Peter.

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

After leaving her life behind to go to college in New York, Marin must face the truth about the tragedy that happened in the final weeks of summer when her friend Mabel comes to visit.

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

A sweet little book about how three people struggling with profound grief find each other. The relationship between Arthur (85 years old) and Maddy (18 years old) forms the core of the story. Gentle, supremely engaging, and nicely written, this novel is a gem, almost too good to be true. Terrific gift, great for book clubs, something adults and teens can read together; don’t miss this book.

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Beyond the Bright Sea is perhaps the best new middle grade historical novel I read this year. (And it is listed in our 101 Best Kids Books of 2017!). It is the beautifully written story of a young girl who arrived at her adopted father’s island in a boat just a few hours old. As she gets older, Crow wants to know where she came from and who her parents were. Her 1925 quest to discover who she is, with Osh, her adoptive father, and Miss Maggie, her tutor, is thrilling and compelling. A great love of nature suffuses the book; you will want to see the Elizabeth Islands (off Cape Cod) when you are done reading. Enjoy this one.

Read alikes: The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotsen, both among my favorites of all time.

The Undateable by Sarah Title

Fun, modern romance that features a librarian as the main character. Melissa Bernard is in a comfortable rut as an academic librarian who cares deeply about her college kid patrons. One day she gets caught on camera in her disapproving mode — and turns into an internet meme. “Bernie” is horrified. Does it get better or worse when a website wants to send the Disapproving Librarian on 30 dates in 30 days to see if she’s “undateable”? The author has a light touch and is often pretty funny — and who could resist a real librarian whose nom de plume is Sarah Title? (The author is Title! ) Grab this one if you want a cozy easy read for a weekend in front of the fire.

The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco

In another world where there are witches of all kinds; Tea finds that she is a rare bone witch, a witch that can raise creatures good and bad from the dead. Tea is confronted with what she is, when she accidentally raises her brother from the dead. Now her and her brother must head to an unfamiliar city, so Tea can train with another bone witch. As Tea trains her skills grow quickly and the whole city become curious about her and her powers. Tea realizes there’s a fine line between good and evil that her powers allow her to tread, but there forces out there wanting to pull her into the darkness.

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Aven Green loves to tell people that she lost her arms in an alligator wrestling match, or a wildfire in Tanzania, but the truth is she was born without them. So, when her parents take a job running Stagecoach Pass, a rundown western theme park in Arizona, Aven moves with them across the country knowing that she’ll have to answer the question over and over again.

Her new life takes an unexpected turn when she bonds with Connor, a classmate who also feels isolated because of his own disability, and they discover a room at Stagecoach Pass that holds bigger secrets than Aven ever could have imagined. It’s hard to solve a mystery, help a friend, and face your worst fears. But Aven’s about to discover she can do it all . . . even without arms.

Here is another great middle grade novel that I read recently. Aven is a great protagonist with more moxie, brains, and spunk than Hercules! However my favorite part of this was Connor, and the way the author used him to show the many facets of Tourette’s Syndrome. The author does not shy away from anything with this one, and does so with heart and humor. Pick up our copy today!

The Big Bad Fox by Benjamin Renner

The red-haired fox of Jeremy Renner’s new graphic novel spends his days sneaking around the local barnyard and his nights munching on turnips. Yeah, things aren’t going too well. The problem is simple. But even still, there is little hope that he will be able to fulfill his carnivore dreams. None of the animals lower down on the food chain is afraid of him. After seeking the help of a more successful hunter, the wolf, a plan is hatched. By stealing eggs, eventually the fox will finally get his feast. Once they grow up a bit. There’s just one thing they haven’t factored in…

Renner, French cartoonist and award nominated animator of the film, “Ernest & Celestine,” offers another funny story centered around a grumpy main character whose heart is turned soft by the unlikely friendships that arise. With expert dialogue and pacing and an expressive cartoon style all his own, it’s just the right amount of slightly oddball. Best for grades 3 and up. Recommended by omnivores as well as vegetarians.

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

Matt Phelan has made quite a name for himself, creating breathtaking historical fiction graphic novels, and his most recent book, Snow White: A Graphic Novel, holds to his high standard. Set in 1928, in New York City, Phelan creates a story told as if a silent black and white, noir film were transformed into a book.

Towards the beginning of the story, Samantha is sent away to boarding school by her well-meaning father and beautiful stepmother, formerly a top Ziegfield girl billed as the “Queen.” With a ticker tape reader feeding messages, a la the magic mirror, to the unhappy and evil stepmother, the plot quickly turns darker as she poisons her older husband and then attempts to have her step-daughter killed after learning she will inherit much of the estate at 18. Of course the reader knows all will turn out well for the heroine. She will be taken in by seven dwarves (or in this case boys), an apple will be bitten, the “queen’s” reign will end, and Snow (or Samantha) will be awakened by a prince. Though sparse in words, it does have its scary moments, so best for readers in grades 4 and up.

I Want That Nut!, illustrated and written by Madeline Valentine

This exuberant and funny sharing book begins before author/illustrator Madeline Valentine gives us the title page. A mouse and chipmunk are having a great time playing chase and hide & seek. On the title page we see an acorn fall. We flip the page and the story officially begins with the furry creatures hearing and then seeing the yummy nut. What follows is absolutely amusing with the wildly expressive friends trying to be deferential (“You take it.” “No, you take it.” “I insist.” “You really should take it.”) with the chipmunk finally saying “Okay. I’ll take it.” and racing off with the cherished food. I love Mouse’s expression of disbelief and shock when Chipmunk runs off the page. So begins a tug of war between the two characters. They start playing tricks on one another in order to obtain the nut. It all leads to a surprise ending. And then another surprise! Valentine’s vibrant art does an excellent job capturing the story’s many humorous turns. The body language of the characters is expertly handled by the talented Valentine. A fun delight.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

Sweet, light family story in the Penderwicks/All of a Kind Family mode, but done by a brand new author. Their grumpy reclusive landlord has suddenly, after 6 years, decided not to renew the Vanderbeeker’s lease – just before Christmas! Watch the Vanderbeeker kids jump into action to try to save the day: a cozy book for kids to read over Winter Break.