Reviewed by OHS Student Chloe D.

A Cinderella retelling.
In this book author is able to spin a tale threaded with fancy balls and sweet romance at every corner.

Even though Cendrillon’s father dies in an untimely manner, and her new stepmother is anything but motherly, Cendrillon is able to find her way through French society and steal the heart of the prince himself… and his younger brother. Leaving the horrors of living with her stepmother to be married to the prince would be a welcome escape for Cendrillon, but she doesn’t feel as much of a connection to the prince as she does with his younger brother, but she must make a decision.

Cinder and Glass stays with the main theme of the original Cinderella, but is able to tie in more current ideas and slip in historical elements.

I liked that the characters were diverse in their personalities and interests. I disliked that the beginning was a little bit slow, but once I got into it, I really enjoyed it.

For readers who equate “corn maze” with dread, this is your book.  This perfect Halloween season story is narrated by Claire, a teenager who is about to testify in her sister’s murder trial. She’s a horror movie fanatic, but a total scaredy-cat of anything that moves in real life. The plot twists in cryptic ways and I certainly couldn’t have predicted the conclusion. It’s a real nail-biter and readers will have a hard time putting it down …to go to sleep.

Reviewed by OHS Student, Chloe D.

In For for the Road, K.J. Reilly takes you on an unforgettable car trip with a mysterious cast of characters that you’ll root for all the way to the end.

When a car crash caused by a drunk driver tragically kills his mother, the only thing Asher sees in front of him is revenge. But during an epic car ride with newfound friends, he learns that there are other paths to chose from. Combining humor to make you smile, mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and interesting character dynamics, K. J. Reilly pulls you into a powerful read.

I loved the characters. All of the characters grieve differently, which shows that everyone is different. For example, Henry, a very old man who Asher made friends with. Henry’s wife died, and he hasn’t quite gotten over it. Henry carries his wife’s ashes in an urn that he takes everywhere. At restaurants, he’ll order for his wife even though she cannot eat it. Using characterization, readers can infer that he misses his wife very much.

Reviewed by OHS Student Matthew S.

Rees’s book is very well written and quickly immerses you into its world. There’s a plague that all young teens try to escape by seeking refuge in a run down castle; however, quickly realize that the plague is directly connected to demons. Most of the story is driven by the characters trying to stop the demons. Danger looms all around in this quick paced novel; characters are constantly questioning whether or not to risk the dangers in trying to survive, or to give up.

If you like creepy books full of unknowns and adventure; this book is for you.

Reviewed by OHS Student, Blaze

This graphic novel is a creative with an intriguing twist on a classic horror story (Frankenstein), a worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys graphic novels. Fiction, Magic, Science, Psychology, and Coming of Age are blended well in this story as the author delves deep into grief and its consequences.

Summary: Frances Ai has failed in her attempt to bring back her sisters soul, instead creating a new mind in her sisters body. This new being, M, struggles with the pressure placed on her as Frances tries to find any hint of the sister she lost.

I believe that the mechanics of magic within the story were altogether unnecessary, as they did not serve as more than occasional mentions and did not serve much purpose. The story would have been perfectly fine without mentions of magic.

Author, Rachel Lynn Solomon, is a fellow Washingtonian – and her books are set in Washington State. See You Tomorrow is set on the University of Washington campus, with a ton of local references. It made the book more enjoyable for me because I could picture the places she describes.

This story isn’t a new idea – it’s very much like the movie Groundhog Day, in that the two main characters are caught within a time loop, doomed to live one single day over and over. In the process of discovering that they are in it together, Miles and Barrett begin to work together to figure out what, if anything, can break the loop. The two begin as strangers, who irritate each other. We see their relationship begin to morph into something more as they spend more time together and learn about each other. Half way through the book, the romantic tension is palpable.

Readers will enjoy the comedic elements, as well as the slow burn love story. There are a couple of spicy love scenes within, so readers should be aware of this going into it. There is also swearing throughout.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. Readers who are fans of Solomon’s other books, or Again But Better by Riccio will enjoy this one as well.

This book has an introduction by Jason Reynolds.

The book is definitely written at teens – the casual language and clearly defined vocabulary and anecdotes will hold the attention of teen readers. The thing I liked most about the language in this book was the use of “Global Majority” as the descriptor for BIPOC folks in the United States. This puts a constant reminder in the reader’s mind that the BIPOC population is NOT the minority – and even in the US this population will outnumber the White population within the next couple of years.

This book explains why it’s important to speak of and acknowledge white priviledge within our society. It’s main message is to listen.

The book is accessible and appropriate for grades 6-12. It’s a quick read; the audio version is read by the author, so it’s equally as good.