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The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Review by Oliver

The Catcher in the Rye is a first person young adult realistic fiction, about a young adult who loses his purpose in life. The second book by one of the most well renowned authors, J.D Salinger. Famous American author of the 20th century. The Catcher in the Rye focuses on a young 16 year old boy named Holden Caulfield. Struggling with life in prep school, due to Holden’s lack of ambition for school, Holden finds out he’s on the verge of expulsion.Holden decides to visit the nearby city of New York to find out what he wants to do in life. The book tells the story of Holden’s visit to New York City and his mental journey.

The book was written in 1951 but still remains relevant in literature in the modern era. The plot, though quite simple, holds a myriad of emotions within it. The Catcher in the Rye really captures the phrase don’t judge a book by its cover. Behind the simple, almost boring plot, is a truly great book filled with depth and emotion. So if you need a book to pick up don’t miss out on The Catcher in the Rye. You won’t regret reading it.

Find it in print here.

Unbroken (Young Reader’s Edition) by Laura Hillenbrand

Whit is an 8th grader living in Ketchum, Idaho. He enjoys skiing, playing hockey, and reading.

Unbroken is based on real people and events that took place during WWII. It is an exciting and interesting book that provides a portal into the life of Louis Zamperini, a champion runner and war hero. As a young boy in California, Louis was breaking into houses, stealing, fighting, and running from the police. All of his younger troublemaking was channeled into running, where he excelled greatly. He was so good at running that he went to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. After WWII started, he became an airman for the United States Air Force and fought on the Pacific front. After the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Louis and his fellow airmen embarked on a dangerous mission that led to an unfortunate fate, a small raft with no provisions, and a long, perilous journey drifting in the massive Pacific Ocean. 

Louis Zamperini’s amazing athletic ability helped him survive thousands of miles of sunburn, sharks, desperate thirst, and starvation. To top that off, as his raft was sinking, search planes would fly over him but not see them, and his friends were perishing one by one. The journey ends with a fateful capture and time in brutal Japanese prison camps, where Louis and other prisoners were treated cruelly and beaten frequently. Unbroken is a story of perseverance, strength, and the will to never give up. It will make you want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Find it in print, ebook and CD here.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Review by Oliver

The Art of War may be one of the greatest classics of all time. Whether you’re a fan of philosophy, a classics reader, or just need something to read while you’re locked up in quarantine, The Art of War is for you. Originally written by Chinese war general Sun Tzu, The Art of War has been morphed and re-imagined multiple times since its original publishing in 500 B.C; yet it still holds its original messages and meanings. If it’s not apparent yet, this is no ordinary book, The Art of War was originally, as you may guess, an ancient Chinese piece of literature on war tactics and strategies. However Sun Tzu’s messages are still relevant to everyday life. 

I was at first overwhelmed reading The Art of War as its many ideologies were tough to grasp, due to the ancient vocabulary and translation. however, I soon came to understand the basis of its lessons and stories. The book is enjoyable for many reasons, one being that, because it is a plotless book, it is easy to pick up and drop at any time. Eliminating the typical stress of finishing a book . The Art of War is a book to be enjoyed by anyone seeking a challenge of the mind.

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook here.

Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer

Review by Ella; dreamer, ski racer, writer, and rock climber. Ella lives in SV, Idaho with her mom, dad, cat, dog, gecko, and fish.

High school graduates Mo, Topher, Sam, and Joey embark on a journey where they find themselves and learn how to accept their findings. Along with them is Cash Carter, the 22-year-old star of the hit-show Wiz Kids. The Wizzers (what fans of Wiz Kids call themselves) soon discover that Cash is definitely not the character he plays on TV and has been up to no good lately. The attractions they have planned to go to end up being a bust and Cash has other plans up his sleeve.

Cash soon finds out that they all have something to hide and the road trip takes a twist. They end up being in a near-death rubber band ball situation, camping out in a deserted water park, going to see a band called “Rosemary’s Abortion,” and getting followed by the paparazzi. They soon start to see the not so perfect sides of Cash. Cash’s immature and reckless behavior starts to grow old and the four friends start to tire of him.

When their secrets and the biggest news of their lives threatens to rip them apart, they must find a way to pull themselves back together. They must also accept that their plans for the future and their lives will never be the same. You will not regret diving into the adventure of a lifetime in Stranger Than Fanfiction by Chris Colfer.

Find it in print here.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review by Ella; dreamer, ski racer, writer, and rock climber. Ella lives in SV, Idaho with her mom, dad, cat, dog, gecko, and fish.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is about Katniss Everdeen, a girl who lives in District 12 of Panem. Panem is the society that rises after the fall of North America. There are 12 districts whose people barely have enough to eat and are mistreated by peacekeepers, basically Panem’s police. Then there is the Capitol. The people in the Capitol are filthy rich and have the most lavish lives anyone could hope for.

At the beginning of Panem, there were 13 districts. The 13th district staged an uprising and was blown off the map because of this. Now every year the citizens of every district must give up two children, a boy, and a girl, between the ages of 12 and 18 to go to the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games provide entertainment for the people of the Capitol where the tributes (what the children chosen are called), are forced to fight to the death in a deadly arena.

Katniss Everdeen’s little sister is chosen at the age of 12 to go to the games. and Katniss bravely volunteers in her place as the first volunteer tribute in the history of District 12 ever. The other tribute chosen is Peeta Mellark, a boy who once saved Katniss’s life. Katniss and Peeta embark on the journey of a lifetime and soon they are facing the biggest challenge anyone can face: The Hunger Games!

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook, CD and DVD here.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

I am Skade. I live in Hailey, ID with my mom, dad, brother and dog. I like to bike, swim and play basketball in my free time.

Turtles All the Way Down is by John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars, Paper Towns and many other great romance books. This book is a well written mystery/romance novel about a 16-year-old girl named Aza Holmes and a 16-year-old boy Davis Pickett who met at “SAD” a camp for kids grieving the loss of a parent.

Aza Holmes has major anxiety and questions her every move. Davis Pickett’s dad is a billionaire. His dad goes missing a couple years after “SAD ” camp, shortly after school started and there is a $10,000 reward for any clues or answers for where he is. Daisy, Aza’s best friend, is excited by the idea of solving a mystery and getting a load of money. Aza isn’t that stoked at first, but once Daisy starts to talk more and more about it, Aza becomes interested. Aza realizes throughout the book that she must accept herself and see herself outside of her thoughts and actions.

Davis suffers from loneliness. Throughout the book, Davis and Aza start having feelings for each other. However, Aza’s circling thoughts and anxiety prevent her from coming close to anyone.

This is a good book for high school age students. There is some sex and profanity but other than that it was great and really drew me in. It has really nice details and explains the struggles that high schoolers go through: first love, first kiss and just figuring things out. It is a short read, one of my favorites!

Find it in print, ebook, eaudiobook and CD here.