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House Rules by Jodi Picoult

My name is Elizabeth. I love reading, and my favorite book is My Sister’s Keeper. I am in the 8th grade and enjoy dance.

I have recently read House Rules, also by Jodi Picoult. This book is about a teenager named Jacob Hunt, who was born with Asperger’s syndrome. This means that he can be incredibly smart, but he can’t interact in social situations. He often becomes incredibly obsessed with one specific subject. His current focus is now on Forensic Science and analysis. Sometimes Jacob sets up fake crime scenes for his family to investigate and solve. He regularly meets with a social skills tutor named Jess, and they have a pretty good friendship.

When Jess dies unexpectantly, many people suspect Jacob of killing her because not only was he there that day but because he demonstrates some very odd behaviors. Throughout the entire plot of the book, the truth begins to slowly unfold and you begin to understand the entire situation, and what really happened through the eyes, insights, and emotions of many people. I really enjoyed reading this book, because you get a view into the character’s lives, and learn what it might be like to live with Asperger’s syndrome. This book is a must-read. It is entertaining, with twists and turns in the plot that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Find it in print and CD here.

Educated by Tara Westover

Hi, I am Sarah. I am fourteen years old and an avid reader; it is one of my favorite things to do. Inspired by authors’ creations of magnificent places and surprising havens built by simple letters, I aspire to be an author and, meanwhile, nurture the love to write.

The first time Tara Westover set foot in a classroom, she was seventeen and attending Brigham Young University after teaching herself enough math, science, and English to pass the ACT. She spent her youth helping her dad scrap metal in his junkyard, preserving foods with her mother and siblings in the kitchen, and preparing for the end of the world. In the spring, she would look up to the mountain of Buck’s Peak and watch the majestic form of the Indian Princess appear out of the snow, telling her where her home lay.

    This memoir is powerful in every way, exploring the different kinds of strength it takes to live an independent life. Elaborately written, Westover painstakingly examines the course of her life, searching for meaning. She grew from that little girl running wild through dry Idaho brush to cross seas on a quest for education, to learn about history, religion, music, philosophy… and when she took a breath, she would look back on her family, back at the Princess, and wonder if there was still a way to go home.   

    This book was all parts insightful, heartbreaking, breathtaking, raw, and incredibly honest. I loved exploring each bit of every intricate sentence, the writing magical and powerful and intense at the same time, not only the story keeping me up past bedtime. However, it covers concepts that are mature, sophisticated, and difficult to unpack, which is why the book waits on a shelf in the adult nonfiction section of the library. 

When I had read the last few words, heard the soft fall of the last page being turned behind me, closed the book with a comfortable snap, I sat in silence for a few moments, feeling grateful with all my heart that I have an education.

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

The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library by Linda Bailey

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

Eddie, the main character in The Tiny Hero of Ferny Creek Library, is a bug who lives behind a chalkboard in Room 19 at Ferny Creek Elementary school. His Aunt Min suddenly goes missing after taking a trip to the Library. Eddie is very worried and can’t get over the fact that the bug who taught him to read might be in real trouble. Despite all odds, Eddie, behind his parent’s back, sneaks away to find Min. On the way, he encounters Squishers (what he and his family call the kids and staff), spiders, and runaway feet.

When Eddie arrives in the Library he is immediately in love. Unfortunately, he finds Min with injured legs, so she is unable to leave her paper tray hideout on the Librarian’s desk. Things start to go awry when the Librarian leaves and Ms. Grisch is her replacement. Ms. Grisch is not a fan of the library and neither is her brother, the superintendent of the school board. Unbeknownst to them, Eddie has a plan to thwart them. As Min regains her health, Alife, Eddie’s very loud brother, shows up. As Eddie’s plan starts to achieve the victory he desires, a tragedy interrupts. Eddie can’t help but feel desperate, and worthless. Will his plan work? Will he be able to defy the odds? This book will have you hanging on to every word and make you appreciate the beauty of libraries.

Find it in print here.

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

My name is Madeline. I am in middle school and enjoy playing the violin, ice skating and reading good books!

Swallows and Amazons, by Arthor Ransome, is an exciting, highly imaginative story of the lively escapades of children, who have an island to themselves.

When four siblings, John, Sarah, Titty and Roger, spend their summer holiday upon the shore of a large lake, they discover a small island at its end. They decide to spend the rest of their vacation on it, doing whatever they please. On the island, the children have many adventures: swimming, exploring, fishing and keeping camp. At first, they believe they have the island all to themselves, but soon find evidence that they are not alone.

One day, while in camp, the four are caught off guard. They are besieged by two self-proclaimed “pirate” girls, Nancy and Peggy, who claim ownership of the island. The six children immediately declare war on each other, none willing to give up ownership of the prized island. The war does not last long, however. It ends with the six children becoming friends joined together with one goal in mind: to unite against Nancy and Peggy’s mean uncle, Mr. Turner, whom they call Captain Flint, and get him to change his ways.

This book is cleverly written and entertaining as it tells the tale of six children’s unforgettable summer. I recommend this book for ages eight and up.

Find it in print and evideo here.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

I am Elizabeth. I love reading, and my favorite book is My Sister’s Keeper. I am in the 8th grade and enjoy dance.

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is about a girl named Stargirl, as she moves to Mesa, Arizona. The students at her new school think that she is way too weird for them. They try to ignore her and her weird habits. The whole school is mean to her, except for a few select students. One of them is Leo. Leo and Stargirl become good friends, but Leo is blatantly honest to her. He tells her to change so that she can fit in because then Leo will appear less weird. Stargirl changes for him, and the school begins to actually like her. She begins to be the most popular girl in school, and because of this, she becomes really unhappy. Leo finally realizes that Stargirl needs to be Stargirl and that he shouldn’t change her. 

Overall this was a good book and it was nice to read. The detail that was added, as well as the characters, made the book nice to read. I never felt that I was on the edge of my seat reading it, and I also thought that it took a long time for the book to really start. I think that the detail in the book made it slow at times, but I really liked how the author describes the characters and their backstories. I liked the way that Jerry Spinelli added feelings and stories to the characters, to make them more relatable. I did like this book, but it is definitely not the best book that I’ve ever read.

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

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen

My name is Madeline. I am in middle school and enjoy playing the violin, ice skating and reading good books!

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen is a well written tender tale that transforms the everyday happenings of a ten-year-old girl into an extraordinary adventure.

When Marly’s father returns from World War II, he is tired, withdrawn and quiet.  Marly hardly recognizes him anymore. Hoping that the county air will have a good effect on her father, her family decides to move to the country.  The country holds many surprises for the family, especially for Marly and her brother, Joe, who are always discovering something new. From learning how to make cheese and maple syrup, to their first day attending a small school, adventures await them every day.

Then suddenly, their neighbor, Mr. Chris, is taken ill right in the middle of sugaring season. The family must all work together to help their neighbors. Despite the hardship, Marly tries hard to notice the little miracles every day, as winter slowly gives way to the first buds of spring. Although there are more miracles than anyone could count in the country, the biggest of all is having Dad back to himself.

Lighthearted and natural, Miracles on Maple Hill is vivid family story of friendship, and the simple wonders that often go unnoticed. I recommend this book for ages ten and up.

Find it in print here.