Willow by Julia Hoban

Yadira Garzon

Plot Summary
This book is about a girl who blames herself for killing her parents in a car accident where she was the driver. She meets Guy, who knows her secret: that she is cutting herself to relieve her suffering. He doesn't tell her brother about her cutting and tries to help her overcome it by giving her love.

Critical Evaluation
I rate this book 9 out of10 because it's really interesting but it moves slow. I recommend this book to everyone, especially if you have lost a parent. Like Willow, I lost my dad and my brother and I got distant.  In the book, Willow loses her parents in a car crash and her brother doesn't really talk to her about it, even though he is taking care of her. It isn't until she meets Guy that she begins to feel love and stop cutting herself.

The Great Brain Book by HP Newquist

Matthew Lopez 

Plot summary: The Great brain book isn't an actual book with a story to tell, but it has many facts and short story's about how people use to live in the 1800's and how they started to study the brain. It has historic events like Phineas Gage when he survived a 3 foot pole piercing through his brain and half of his face. Also talks about the parts of the brain and whats it's purpose.

Critical Evaluation: This book is non-fiction and I would give this book a 8 out of 10 because it has a lot of facts that you can learn about and events that became famous and can be very engaged to learn other stuff since it has really nice pictures with nice details. But the only reason why I don't give the book a 10 out of 10 is because it got kind of boring at the end but then you realize that it's because it has no pictures around it like it did in the beginning of the book. 

The Vanishing Games

Plot Summary 

The Vanishing Games by Kate Kae Myers is about three childhood friends that grow up together in a foster home. Jocelyn runs away, but comes back years later to solve the mystery of how her twin brother Jack died. She has no choice but to go back to her childhood crush Noah for help.  Jocelyn finds clues on what Jack did before he died, eventually going  back to Seale House, a place she hoped she'd never go back to. 

Critical Evaluation

This book is based on mystery, drama, love, and faith. Makings you wonder every time whats going to happen next. I rate this book a 8/10 because at times it would get boring. 

American Sniper by Chris Kyle

Bryan Guerrero

Plot summary:
This book is an autobiography about the best american sniper there has ever been. The man in the book is called Chris Kyle and he talks about everything that he had to do in order to become an american sniper. In the book Chris also shows how difficult and stressful it was for him before he became the greatest american sniper.

Critical Evaluation: 
I would give this book a 9.5 out of 10 because it has a lot of action and keeps you very engaged. There are some boring parts in the book but you need to read those boring parts because they help you understand the book better. I would say it is a very inspirational book.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Brendan Lai

Plot Summary:
Jon Krakauer is a news article author, in this book he wrote about how Christopher McCandless who is a student that just graduated from high school. McCandless decided that he will travel Western United State in his last summer before he goes to college. He also traveled to CA, and later his last trip to Alaska. The author Krakauer later of the year follows McCandless's trip from Western United States, and then to Alaska. He also interview his family about why McCandless will travel around the world instead doing something more fun, or something that college interesting more.

Critical evaluation: 

This is a good book to read because from this book shows me that how McCandless we can find our freedom from a lots of ways, not just from technology but from natural. I will rate this book about 10/10 because this book related to a lot of people who need to find a way to get relax.

Search for Safety By John Langan

Felipe Lopez

Book Summary:

When a teenage boy moves away from a happy home with his mom and aunt and goes with his stepfather he starts to notice that things aren't going to be as happy as they used to be. His stepfather starts showing signs that he is violent and abusive when he starts to beat on him and his mom. Things don't get any better in his new high school where experience being an outcast. Things do get better when he meets a girl who later becomes one of his best friends. But will things get better at home?

Critical Evaluation:   

This book is really good it's very entertaining and the characters you meet in the book are also very interesting.Also this book has action and it has its funny moments as well. Pretty this book has a little bit of everything.

The Raft S.A. Bodeen

Oscar Chavez

Plot Summary

This book is about a girl named Robie, and her miserable visit to her aunt's house. Robie wanted a break from her parents, so her parents sent her to Oahu with her aunt. Everything was going to plan until her aunt received a call from work the day before before Robie got to her house. This was an important call for Robie's aunt, telling her that she had a meeting in Los Angeles the next day. Robie begged her aunt to let her stay at her place, because she didn't want to go home with her parents yet. She convinced her aunt but that same night her aunt left made Robie realize that she doesn't want to stay in her house alone ever again. Robie decides to go home, and a terrifying thing happens while in the plane.

Critical Evaluation
I would rate this book a 9/10. This book deserves 9/10 ,because it has all a reader is looking for. This book gives you a sense of how a teenager lives and what they think. This book also gives you a sense of how to survive out in the ocean for a couple of days. This book also teaches you a great lesson. The reason why I gave  it a 9 Is because we I think it had a dull ending.

Always Running by Luis J Rodriguez

Bryant Cruz

Plot Summary

Always running is a book about Luis J Rodriguez who talks about his life in a gang. He wrote this book so he can teach his son a little something about being in a gang. Throughout this book, he goes deep into his stories and shows us how gangs in LA are hard. Luis was picked on as a young kid and didn't like. When he saw his elementary getting attacked by gangs he realized how being in a gang gave power to them because everyone at school was terrified. He eventually got out the gangs through poetry and his achievement with his latino communities.

Official Evaluation

I would rate this book 10/10, because it has a lot of details and is very interesting. This book his lots of violence and rated R scenes. I would recommend for those who are interesting in learning about the gang life.

Home Sweet Horror by James Preller

Jasmin Cortez

Plot Summary:

It's about how a new family that comes to live at a new area and new home. The family includes the Dad, his daughter, son and a cute dog, no mom. Since the father has to go find a job he isn't mostly in the house and is more absent when he finally gets the job. So his kids stay alone wit their dog in the house, that's when the weird stuff begins. Once they were taking their dog out for a walk and this little weird kid which was riding his bike was like "Your house is haunted, You guys better get outta there". They thought the kid was crazy and weird, so they just ignored him so the kid just left riding smoothly. But after a while, everything turns weird and you don't know whats up anymore.

Critical Evaluation:

For this book I give it a 6/10 because it's not scary. Since it's full of fantasy and stuff like that it's not scary it's actually kind of boring. 

Wanted by Nick Stephenson

Anthony Deleon
Summary: Wanted by Nick Stephenson takes place during modern day Paris, France, a city which many call a city of love, but this is not the case for Blake. Blake is an FBI agent sent to France to secure art work worth millions of dollars he must protect. Along the way he meets one of the security chiefs with whom he discusses recent criminal activity in the area, surprised there had not been a crime in weeks. But unfortunately for Blake that peace and quiet ends and brings him one of the bumpiest rides his rides throughout Paris, leaving him scared for his life. Imagine yourself fighting through everything, trying to save the innocent from what they don't see. Blake takes us on a ride we will never forget for a year he will not unfortunately forget all the agony and pain we must see.
Critical Evaluation  

For this novel I have to give it a 7/10 the reason for it does not have this ability to capture the attention of the reader and sometime become difficult  to follow along the story although does show great Heroes  and villains showing their true potential. I believe people who like a good mystery or Thriller would love this book due to just how the story unfolds with action, villains, and pace. Will Blake be able to defeat all odds through his long days on Paris streets or crumble under all the pressure.

The Giver

Lois Lowry

Matthew Murphy

Summary:

       A world without evil, war and hate. A utopian state with perfect order comes Jonas a young boy whose will to find out the truth about his world. Jonas is assigned a special job and has a duty to achieve in his world of peace. Will Jonas find the real truth about the world he lives in or will he be just as normal as everyone else.

Critical Evidence:

     I'm not much of a reader, I never really am able to find that many books that I like. The Giver was really intriguing, I would rate the book a 9.5/10. This book was really good and knowing there is more follow up books to read I'm glad that this series continues.

Jenny Delgado

Plot Summary:

Black For Remembrance, written by Carlene Thompson, Is a Horror/Mystery.

20 years ago, Caroline Webb had a perfect

with an artist husband and an adorable 5 year old.

First Daughter was brutally murdered

20 years later, Caroline managed with a new husband and new family with A son and Daughter.

But…

On Healey's 25th Birthday, bizarre events

started to happen.

A murderer was on the loose in the community.

All the events connected to Haley’s death.

Melinda, second daughter, is chosen as the target of special attention.

Will she be the next victim?

Rate: This book is a classic and addictive. You won't be disappointed.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Antonio Saldivar

Plot Summary:

Katniss has to go through a number of events in her next adventure. While she becomes a part of the rebels, Peeta is kidnapped by president Snow. There is footage of him being punished by the president and Katniss has to do something to stop it. What will she do?

Critical evaluation:

I give this book a 7/10. If you like the rest of the series you will like this book. This book wasnt that interesting for me because it didnt have enough action for me to enjoy.

Boot Camp By Todd Strasser

Bryant Cruz

Plot Summary

Garrett is a young teen who was kidnapped one night buy some agents who work for a camp called Lake Harmony. There they beat up the kids to straighten them out. Garrett is tired of it so he  and two friends plan an escape. However, Garrett gets caught and goes back to Lake Harmony. His parents come and see him and find out what they have done to Garrett throughout his time being there. How would you feel if you found out you parents sent people to kidnap you and take you away?

Critical Evaluation
I would rate this book 8/10, because the plot was very interesting, but the ending was slightly disappointing. After all good details and this book give's you something to think about. It makes you wonder if you could even handle being in a boot camp.

It's Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Antonio Sanchez Ortiz

Plot Summary:
This book follows the life of a boy named Craig while he goes through depression. He ends up wanting to kill himself which lands him in an adult psychiatric ward where he has to be there for a few days. Through this he ends up finding love and finding a whole world of people with mental disorders. 

Critical Evaluation 
I would say this book deserves a 9.5 out of a 10. It deserves this since the narrative is really well written. Also the dialogue makes you feel like you are a part of the book. While it also teaches you about mental disorders and the perspective of people with them.   

Deadly little secret series by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Ruby Cecilia Herrera

Plot Summary:

Camelia Hammond has yet to understand and control her power of psychometry. While struggling with both her school and secret life she has to figure out where and how she got her powers. When she figures out that she is not the only one with these powers her life becomes even more challenging. Will she be able to overcome the struggle?

Critical Evaluation:

From 1-10 I give it a 10 because this series is so addicting. Once you read one book you can't help it but to reading the next one and so on. If you like secrets, drama, suspense, and love then this is the book for you.

Looking For Alaska by John Green

                                              

Ricardo Mendoza 

Plot Summary 

This book is about a High school student called Miles "Pudge" Halter who goes to a new school called Culver Creek Preparatory High school in Alabama. Miles later meets his roommate Chip Martin. Later on Chip introduces Miles to Alaska Young and Takumi Hikohito. When Miles sees Alaska for the first time he falls in love with her but soon she goes missing and the three friends try to look for clues to find why she was missing.

Critical Evaluation 

I would give Looking For Alaska 9.5/10 because it was a really good book that always left you on a cliff whenever you stopped reading. The one thing I didn't like about this book was the ending because it wasn't the best happy ending, but you might agree with me. 

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Brandon Flores

Book Summary:

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green is a romantic book/movie about a girl named Hazel Grace and a boy named Augustus Waters who meet up at a support group for people who have fought cancer and now share their stories. Augustus Waters starts to feel some type of way towards Hazel and Hazel feels like if she gets too close to him it won't be right because she feels like a grenade that would explode at anytime. They later plan a trip to go to Amsterdam to meet a famous book author to ask him questions about a book that she loves and after they go and have dinner together then spend the rest of their day at the park to talk and see the stars. Do you think that it will end up as a happy or sad ending between to two?

Critical Evaluation:

I would rate this book 10/10 being one of the best books I have read. This book a great topic about Live and Relationships because of what the two have been through and try to find the right person. There are some plot twists that would have you wanting to read more until you get what was said.

Playing Dead by Tim Bowler

Chris Yang

Summary

A 16 year old kid called blade, no one knows the city like him. Balde is on his own and he can't trust anyone, he is trying to hide his past, and run away from thugs. He thought he is safe in this city, he is practically invisible, perfectly alone. But he finds himself on the run again. But this time he is not alone, he is with a girl called Becky and her daughter.

Critical Evaluation

I would rate this book a 9 out of 10, because the book is filled with emotions and the story is twisted, and you just can't put the book down.

Fitz by Mick Cochrane

Fitz is a boy who has lived all of his life with just his mother and being an outcast at school. Until one day he decides to know abut the truth of his disappearing father and why he left. He soon finds his father working nearby and living a couple of blocks away, but Fitz always thought that he lived far away in another state. Fitz buys a gun and starts to follow him, thinking about one day kidnapping him, but all he want to know is why his dad ever left.

I rate this book 10 out of 10 because of making you think about either your fathers or other family relationships. Teens my age around 15 should read this book to understand and really comprehend the way Fitz feels throughout the book and why he feels that way, it takes some maturity and understanding to read this book.

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

By:Fatima Perez

Plot Summary

11 year old Jaycee kidnapped and had her life taken away from her. Her freedom was imprisoned by someone who was addicted to many things. He was a drug addict and a sex addict. He had a wife but that wasn't enough for him. He needed someone new too have a "run" which was what he called sex. She was taken for 18 years and was only used for sex. She had two children and was kept in a small studio and was left in the dark everyday. Will she escape or be rescued?

Critical Evaluation

I would rate this book 8/10 because it has a very interesting start. I like how she explains detail by detail what happened to her and what her daily life was like. She is the one who is telling the story which makes it more intense.

Six Years by Harlan Coben

Maria Donlucas

Plot Summary

Six years ago Jake Fisher and Natalie broke up and Natalie married another man. When Jake showed up to Todd and Natalie's wedding. Natalie asked Jake to promise to never see her again. Unfortunately Todd died and Jake broke that promised. and went to Todd's memorial service.At Todd's memorial service his wife was there but it wasn't Natalie! Now Jake has to find the dark secret that is in Natalie's Family.

Critical Evaluation

I would give this book 8/10 because its suspenseful and it dark. It also about betray from your own family and friends. It can be dull but the book drags you with excitement and thriller.

  A Stolen Life By Jaycee Dugard

 Skyler McGee

Book Summary.  

This book is about a girl named Jaycee Lee Dugard who was kidnapped at the age of eleven. while she was on her way to the bus stop to go to school. In the book we read about what her life was like while being held captive by her abductor.

Critical Evaluation
If I could rate this book out of 10 I would give it a 10/10 because its such a great book if you like books with very good outcomes and lots of suspenseful moments. when you start to read this book your gonna find your self not wanting to put it down because its just that good





Critical Evaluation

A child called it by Dave Plezer

A child called it by Dave Pelzer

Joseph Gomez

Plot Summary 

A Child Called It is about a boy named Dave who is horribly abused by his mother.  The abuse consists of starvation. She even locked him in a room and he was forced to inhale bleach and ammonia. Throughout  the series, we experience his perspective and how the abuse affects him as he gets older.  

                   

Critical Evaluation 

I would rate this 10/10. In my opinion I really enjoyed this book   It shows the consequences of alcoholism and how it changes the way you act towards some people. It is really sad to see how someone could be so cruel to an innocent child.        

The child called it by David Pelzer Review by Jesus Membrillo

      The book and autobiography “The Child Called It”by David Pelzer, focuses on the story about a boy who has lived his whole childhood with an abusive mother. His mother who not only made his life a living hell but even tortured  the poor kid  (David Pelzer) both physically and mentally. In many cases his life has been at risk but his mother simply ignores the fact that he is a living being.

      In my opinion I believe that this book deserves an 11 out of 10. Yes you heard it,an 11 out of 10. This book is so good and inspiring that simply  reading it you'll become the character himself. You will not only live his life but suffer with him on the way. This book shows and gives one that idea that some of us live an easier life than others. This book gives us the example that others have been throughout more us and that we should feel lucky to live the way we do. Just ask yourself if you ever put yourself in someone's shoes before judging them.