I know that a lot of people don’t read these days, and as I was looking at statistics, I found some shocking things. For example, according to the Pew Research Center, in 2020 and 2021 only 17% of 13 year olds read every day for fun, and 23% of 13 year olds read once or twice a week for fun. Considering that reading is a very important skill in life and reading everyday helps you improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills, this is really, very sad. Some of the time, the problem is that people can’t find books that they like, and other times, people just don’t have the motivation to read. I decided to make a list of some of my favorite books in hopes that you will start enjoying reading as much as I do!
What I Carry by Jennifer Longo. Elisa-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is one of my favorite books of all time! The story is about Muir, a very independent person, who is about to age out of the foster care system. She is unsure about what she is going to do or where she is going to go after she does. She moves in with her last foster mom expecting everything to go wrong, but she slowly makes connections and finds her place. I really liked how the book was written, because we know more about Muir and her story after learning about each object she carries with her. Jennifer Longo wrote this story because her daughter asked her to write a story about the foster care system that was realistic. This story is based on her daughter’s experiences.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Elisa and Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is a beautiful story! This book contains vulgar language, but it’s not too frequent. When they use bad words it is always for a reason (not to everything). There are some things that you have to be mature for. It contains death and events that are results of the characters' health condition. This book is about Hazel Grace; she has thyroid cancer (if you want to know what this is I suggest you read the book!). She goes to a support group of kids with cancer, and one day, Augustus Waters comes to the support group and Hazel's life changes. This book causes you to pause, think, and be grateful for your life, or realize that maybe you do need someone to be your Augustus Waters (platonically or romantically 😀). By the way, another book by John Green is Looking For Alaska. Christiana has read Turtles All The Way Down and it is very nice.
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, introduction by Jodi Picoult. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I recommend this book. This is more of a historical fiction book, it is about a kid named Ponyboy (that’s his honest to goodness name) who is a greaser. I recommend the version by Jodi Picoult, she has a commentary in the beginning. Although the commentary spoils the entire book, it gives you perspective. If you don’t want to have it spoiled for you, you can read it once you are done with the book. This has so many interesting parts and shows the complexity of life. However it contains smoking, drinking, and some suggestive references.
The Chocolate War by Robert Comier. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½
This book is about a boy named Jerry. His mother has passed away and he lives with his dad. He goes to a catholic school and there is a fundraiser where they sell chocolate. The fundraiser is optional but everyone does it, its tradition! But one day, Jerry, the new kid, refuses. The reason I ranked this at 4 and a half is because there are many things that some readers may not be comfortable reading. Other than that the complexity of this book is amazing. The ending is that unlike every other you might be used to.
Kind of a Big Deal by Shannon Hale. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐ ½
This book is about a girl named Josie Segarkis, who goes by the name Josie Pie. She was super popular in high school then left to go to a broadway audition. She bombs it, and doesn’t know what to do. She left all her friends and family behind to go chase a dream that failed. She gets a nanny job, her charge’s mom moves and begs her to come with. And she does; one day she comes across a bookstore and goes inside and buys a book. When she reads it, suddenly she ends up inside….. The reason I rated this book as a 3 ½ out of ten is that the climax isn't fun or surprising, just cringey and makes you want to put down the book. The ending is underwhelming and what the author was building up to just dropped flat.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This beautiful book is about a girl named Melinda. She is suddenly ostracized and hated by everyone, even her best friend, after calling the cops on a high school party she went to as an 8th grader. After this event, she stops talking, and her grades drop. This book has a bunch of twists you would never expect and a mildly heartbreaking ending(in a good way). DISCLAIMER-This contains a lot of trauma, if you don’t think you can handle it suggest not to. Also, I recommend the version with bonus content, in that version you will find commentary from the author that is really helpful with understanding where her head was while writing this book. All in all I recommend this book 1,000,000%.
This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is about 18 year old Remy who is about to leave for college. She spent her life making sure there is no one to tie her back to her hometown. She has a very cynical view about love, seeing as how she witnessed her mom marry and divorce 4 times. The book starts before the 5th wedding. She meets Dexter, her exact opposite, who teaches her about the truth of love. There are some references to intercourse, and some cursing.
Dress Coded by Carrie Firestone. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dress Coded is about a girl named Molly Frost who is done with the school. She starts a podcast after witnessing the dress coding of a fellow 8th grader, Olivia. Her podcast is about people who have been unfairly dress coded. Molly and her friends take action against the school's unfair and sexist dress code. This book is mediocre, but good. You might even be able to relate or get inspiration to stand up for what you believe.
White Bird by R.J. Palacio. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
White Bird by R.J. Palacio is a rendition of Anne Frank's diary. It is not about Anne Frank, it is just based on her story but not the same. It is written in a way that you can understand the position of a Jewish individual during the Holocaust, the constant feeling of untrust and fear. There are no words I can use to describe this book, it is so beautifully written that you will only understand the amazingness once you read it. This is great for people who love graphic novels, because that is exactly what this is.
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins. Elisa- ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The first book has Katniss Everdeen fighting in the hunger games and the rest of the series has her starting/leading a rebellion against the Capitol. She discovers many secrets and meets enemies and allies along the way, including Peeta. *wink wink. The Hunger Games was very adventure filled and had many relatable characters, but it was kind of dark sometimes. I personally loved everything! There is another book, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, that comes after Mockingjay, but I haven’t read it yet.
Any Sign of Life by Rae Carson. Elisa-⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
(This is one of the only sci-fi/apocalyptic novels that I have ever read and liked.) Paige wakes up one day and finds that everyone is gone. She needs to find a way to survive by herself - plus a dog - and find out if she really is the only person alive. Eventually, she meets a few other people, notices that weird things are going on, and searches for an explanation for everything that is happening. There were many things I liked about this book, especially the fact that there was a dog! The reason why it lost that ½ star was because some things weren’t really explained. It makes it seem like there is a sequel. Rae Carson didn’t say if there was going to be a sequel.
Full Flight by Ashley Schumacher. Elisa-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book was sad but amazing! Anna is a saxophonist who joins her school’s marching band and is assigned a duet with Weston. He is known as being trouble and a bad influence, but she gets to know him better and better as time goes on. Then something unimaginable happens, and Anna has to find a way to continue living without him. It was easy to connect with the characters, and this book is told in alternating points of view. There is something at the end that just… made me almost cry. Also, the cover is really pretty!
Stand Tall by Joan Bauer. Elisa-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wowzers, this book was really funny. It is told in 3rd person and occasionally has different points of view that contribute to the storyline. It talks about Tree, whose real name is Sam, and he is called Tree because he is so tall. Tree is coping with his parent’s recent divorce by helping his grandpa, a veteran and amputee, and Sohpie, a new girl at school. If you were wondering just exactly how tall he is, he’s in 7th grade, 6’ 3’’, and still growing! Man, I wish I were him.
Breathe and Count Back From Ten by Natalia Sylvester. Elisa - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This follows Veronica, a 17 year old who has hip dysplasia and really wants to become a mermaid. The only time that the pain disappears is when she swims, so when a spot opens up for a mermaid, she knows she has to try. The only problem is that her parents are overprotective and don’t want her to waste her time doing something that is “a waste of time”. A boy, Alex, also moves into her apartment building. This book is good for someone who likes a self-exploration and romance book.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Elisa-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was so super duper amazing, just like Willow is so super duper smart! She finished a state exam in 18 minutes! She is a 12 year old who loves nature, medical conditions, and counting by 7’s. When her adoptive parents die in a car crash, she has to find a way to get through her sadness and grief. She forms close relationships on the way to find people she can call her family. I learned a lot of cool and interesting facts from this book. Just like Stand Tall, it is told occasionally in different points of view. This book was very moving, and I liked the ending.
The Overthrow Series by Kenneth Oppel. Christiana-⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A destructive plant begins to invade the entire planet. Blooms follow and throw off deadly toxic pollen. Enormous sinkholes emerge, endangering lives and swallowing buildings. Strangely, three teenagers appear to be immune to the effects of the deadly plant (Bloom Book 1). I love this series because it is so creative and unique, and I love the way he took the alien overthrow thing and made it his own. I don’t really like science fiction but this series was amazing.
Keepers of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger(Entire Series). Elisa & Christiana⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She's a Telepath–someone who can read minds. It's a talent she's never known how to explain. Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy who appears out of nowhere, and who can also read minds like her. There were also so many names, places, and details to remember that made it hard to understand the story sometimes. Anyway, the books are great and the characters are original. This series has so many cool mysteries and questions. Sophie’s(the main character) struggle for information and to be included is so relatable.